MANILA: The 74th Miss Universe pageant got off to a bad start when a heated exchange broke out between contestants and the host, the national director of Miss Universe Thailand (MUT), on Tuesday, just as the formal sashing of the candidates was about to begin, Philstar Global reports.
According to the outlet, the pageant itself was in disarray following contradictory statements from the main Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and host Miss Universe Thailand (MUT), despite the national director of Miss Universe Thailand (MUT), Nawat Itaragrisil, serving as MUO’s executive director.
MUO branded a “Special Dinner and Talk Show” promoted by MUT, which was not officially sanctioned; However, MUT said the activity was part of its marketing campaign, which hosts are allowed to oversee.
All the competing queens for Miss Universe 2025 arrived in Thailand and were ready to begin the pre-pageant proceedings with a sashing ceremony on Tuesday, reports Philstar Global.
Before the event began, Nawat took the opportunity to speak to all the gathered queens and reiterated that MUT’s promotional activities are legal, while also mentioning other issues such as candidates not participating in promo shoots and sponsors associated with online casinos, which is illegal in Thailand.
Regarding the latter, Nawat asked participating contestants who did not agree with MUT’s promo ideas to raise their hands.
While the room remained silent, Navat called Mexico’s representative Fatima Bosch, Philstar Global reported.
Nawat claimed reports from her staff that Fatima had been ordered by their national director not to post anything about Thailand, causing Fatima to clarify her position.
After Fatima said she would be able to follow Nawat’s orders, Nawat claimed that Mexico’s national director had been thrown out of the country.
“It’s not polite, it’s not nice… If you follow orders from your national director, you’re an idiot,” Nawat was quoted as saying by Philstar Global.
A few minutes later, Fatima stood up again for clarification, angering Nawat, who repeatedly said that he was still talking on the microphone.
“I’m still talking to everyone. Why are you standing there talking to me?” Nawat asked, to which Fatima replied, “Because I have a voice…” But Nawat cut her off, saying, “Yes, you have a voice, but you have to be respectful,” as quoted by Philstar Global.
“But you are not respecting me as a woman,” Fatima replied, to which Nawat called security to escort her out of the room, resulting in gasps and groans being heard from the other candidates.
From the back of the room, Fatima can be heard saying, “As women, we are respected and need to be respected. I am here representing my country, it is not my fault that you have a problem with my organization,” as quoted by Philstar Global.
The exchange resulted in reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Thielvig leaving the room and, to the media stationed outside, expressed her disappointment in how the situation was handled.
“We respect everyone but things shouldn’t be handled this way, it’s disrespectful to ruin another girl,” Victoria said as she took the leave, as quoted by Philstar Global.
Inside the room, some candidates chose to follow Victoria and walked out despite Navat’s call for everyone to stay in their seats.
Navat said, “Sit. If anyone wants to continue the competition, then sit. If you walk out, the other girls will continue the competition.”
Fatima was among those who walked out, accompanied by Iraq’s Hanin Al Koreishi, Philstar Global reported.
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