"I’m not a doll to be made up" - Fátima Bosch's fiery response to Miss Universe director Nawat Itsaragrisi's "dumb" remark before winning the title

Mexico's Fátima Bosch, who was recently crowned Miss Universe 2025, went viral earlier this month for spearheading a walkout after a pageant official seemingly made disparaging comments about her. Bosch, aged 25, won the Miss Universe 2025 pageant during the final event in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 21, 2025.

However, her road to victory was not smooth sailing after a video of Nawat Itsaragrisil, the National Director of Miss Universe Thailand (MUT), publicly berating her was circulated online. The clip was taken from a livestream of a pre-pageant sash ceremony held in Thailand on November 4, 2025.

According to People Magazine, Itsaragrisil addressed the Miss Universe contestants, telling them that they were obligated to "promote the host country." He then publicly called Fátima Bosch out for allegedly refusing to take part in a promotional photoshoot and post about Thailand on her social media.

When Bosch tried to explain her side, he allegedly called her "dumb" for following her organization's orders. He then questioned why Fátima Bosch remained standing after he dismissed her, to which she responded, "Because I have a voice. You are not respecting me as a woman.”

Itsaragrisil is then seen calling security in the video, and threatening to disqualify other contestants if they supported Fátima Bosch. This prompted many of the women, including reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark, to stand up and follow Bosch as she left the room.

In an interview posted to Instagram after the incident, Fátima Bosch condemned the pageant executive's behavior, adding that she joined the pageant to "be a voice for all women" and not "a doll to be made up."

"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. We're in the 21st century. 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."

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"No one can silence it": Fátima Bosch said after the walkout

In a statement to reporters immediately after the walkout, Fátima Bosch claimed that Nawat Itsaragrisil called her "dumb" because he had an issue with her organization, dubbing his remarks "unfair." She added that the incident should reach people globally, saying that the contestants were empowered women and the pagneatry was for their voices.

“What your director did is not respectful — he called me dumb, because he has issues with the organization, and I think that’s unfair... I think the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and this platform is for our voices. No one can silence it. No one will silence me. It doesn’t matter if you have a big dream or a crown. If it takes away your dignity, you should walk away," she added.

Miss Universe delegates line up in their swimwear during the 74th Miss Universe final competition at Impact Challenger Hall (Image via Getty)

Meanwhile, Miss Universe Organisation president Raúl Rocha Cantú issued a video statement following the incident, condemning Nawat Itsaragrisil for the "public aggression" against Fátima Bosch. In the six-minute video, he claimed that the Thai official had a "constant desire to be the center of attention," adding that he had "forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host."

Cantú further said the organization had decided to "restrict" Itsaragrisil’s participation in the events, "limiting it as much as possible or eliminating it entirely," and criticized him for calling security to "intimidate a defenseless woman."

“Without further ado, I would like to make it clear. My great indignation toward Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fátima Bosch, Miss Universe Mexico. Whom he humiliated, insulted, and he showed lack of respect, in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman. Trying to silence and exclude her. Nawat, you need to stop,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nawat Itsaragrisil apologized for the incident in a livestream on social media. According to Elle, the Thai official has a history of allegedly body-shaming pageant contestants.

In 2016, he told then Miss Iceland, Arna Ýr Jónsdóttir, to “stop eating breakfast” and “eat just salad for lunch”. In May 2025, he accused Miss Grand International winner Rachel Gupta of undergoing cosmetic procedures and surgery on social media.

“If anyone [was] feeling not good, if anyone [was not] comfortable, if anyone [was affected], I do apologize [to] everyone. But I did talk, apologize to the rest of the girls in the room, around 75 still," Itsaragrisil said in his apology following the walkout incident.

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Fátima Bosch was crowned the 74th Miss Universe by Victoria Kjær Theilvig, Miss Universe 2024. She was one of the five contestants to make it to the final round. Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh was made the first runner-up, followed by Miss Venezuela, Miss Philippines, and Miss Côte d'Ivoire.

Edited by Juhi Marzia