• Fátima Bosch is representing Mexico in the 2025 Miss Universe pageant.
  • Fátima got into a heated argument with the president of Miss Grand International and Miss Universe executive, Nawat Itsaragrisil, who called her “dumb” during a pre-sash ceremony event on Nov. 3.
  • Nawat and the president of Miss Universe, Raúl Rocha Cantú, have each issued statements in the drama’s aftermath.

Miss Universe is in full swing, and the annual event is making headlines thanks to some behind-the-scenes drama before the competition begins in Thailand on November 21. Ahead of the pageant, a pre-sash ceremony event was held for the 122 delegates competing for the crown on Monday, November 3.

During a Facebook livestream of the event, the president of Miss Grand International and Miss Unive rse executive, Nawat Itsaragrisil, pointed out that Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, hadn’t fulfilled an obligation to promote the organization.

As clips of the tense interaction continue to make their rounds online—and Miss Universe issues a response to the situation—let’s break down the Miss Universe drama.

It all started when Nawat called Fátima “dumb” in front of her fellow contestants.

Nawat seemingly called Fátima out for not complying with the organization’s obligations of posting in Thailand, asking, “Mexico, where are you?” before saying, “I heard you [did] not agree to post everything about Thailand, about every article of our own activities. Is it true?”

A heated exchange between Fátima and Nawat then ensued after she admitted she misunderstood what was “obligated” of her. He then accused her of listening to her director from Mexico, adding, “If you follow the orders from your national director, you are a dumb head.”

“We respect you, just as you should respect us. I’m here representing my country, and it’s not my fault you have problems with my organization,” Fátima later responded, to which Nawat said, “No, you must listen to me first, then argue with me.”

She then stood up to leave the room as he motioned for security to stop. In that moment, several contestants, including current Miss Universe Victoria Kjær, walked out in solidarity.

Fátima hasn’t stayed quiet about the situation.

During an interview posted by @miss.ardor on Instagram, Fátima doubled down on her decision to defend herself. “I just want to let my country know, I’m not afraid to make my voice heard. It’s here, stronger than ever. I have a purpose. I have things to say,” she said in Spanish.

She added, “We’re in the 21st century, and I’m not a doll to be made up, styled, and have my clothes changed. I came here to be a voice for all the women and all the girls who fight for causes and to tell my country that I’m completely committed to that.”

Miss Universe Mexico also weighed in, writing a statement in Spanish. “What happened today with @fatimaboschfdz in Thailand is unacceptable,” the organization wrote, in part. “No woman, under any circumstance, deserves to be insulted or humiliated.”

The president of Miss Universe called Nawat out for his actions and restricted his involvement with the pageant.

On November 4, Miss Universe president Raúl Rocha Cantú reprimanded Nawat for his “vicious acts” against Fátima, in a video shared on Facebook. He noted that the Thai businessman had “humiliated, insulted, and he showed a lack of respect, in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman, trying to silence and exclude her.”

He also revealed that Nawat’s participation in this year’s Miss Universe events has been “restricted…as much as possible.”

Nawat publicly apologized following the drama.

In a TikTok livestream, Nawat took matters into his own hands and apologized for his actions with Fátima. “If anyone (was) feeling not good, if anyone (was) not comfortable ... I do apologize for everyone,” he said during the stream, before admitting that there may have been some confusion in how he addressed the organization’s obligations.

This all went down before the official Miss Universe pageant takes place on November 21.