Several contestants have walked out of a Miss Universe event after an official from host nation Thailand publicly berated Miss Mexico in a tense confrontation. At a pre-pageant ceremony, Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil told off Fatima Bosch in front of dozens of contestants for failing to post promotional content. When she objected, Mr. Itsaragrisil called security and threatened to disqualify those supporting her. Ms. Bosch then left the room and others joined her in solidarity.
Video of the incident, which was live streamed, has been shared online. The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) has condemned Mr. Itsaragrisil's 'malicious' behaviour, for which he has since apologized. The Miss Universe contestants, who are the winners of national pageants in their home countries, attended Tuesday's event in their sashes and gowns. Some can be heard shouting back at Mr. Itsaragrisil in the video, after he raises his voice to reprimand Ms. Bosch and repeatedly tells her to stop talking.
Despite his attempts to reassert control, many of the women in the video appear standing, with several heading towards the door. After leaving the event on Tuesday, Ms. Bosch told the press the 60-year-old executive was 'not respectful' and claimed he called her 'dumb'. Mr. Itsaragrisil has contested this claim, stating his words were misunderstood. He is widely reported to have called the 25-year-old a 'dumbhead', but later contended he was implying she caused 'damage'.
His conduct prompted a stern rebuke from the MUO, which has sent a delegation of international executives to take over running the competition. MUO President Raul Rocha stated that Mr. Itsaragrisil had 'forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host', emphasizing that his actions humiliated and insulted Ms. Bosch and that he committed 'serious abuse' by intimidating her. Mr. Itsaragrisil's participation in the pageant would be limited 'as much as possible' or eliminated entirely, with the MUO considering legal actions against him.
'We are in the 21st century. I'm not a doll to be made up, styled and have my clothes changed,' Ms. Bosch said, reiterating her commitment to be a voice for women. The controversy has sparked outrage on social media, with the pageant pressing on despite the incident, as contestants took part in a welcome event in Bangkok, leading up to the announcement of the new Miss Universe on 21 November.
Video of the incident, which was live streamed, has been shared online. The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) has condemned Mr. Itsaragrisil's 'malicious' behaviour, for which he has since apologized. The Miss Universe contestants, who are the winners of national pageants in their home countries, attended Tuesday's event in their sashes and gowns. Some can be heard shouting back at Mr. Itsaragrisil in the video, after he raises his voice to reprimand Ms. Bosch and repeatedly tells her to stop talking.
Despite his attempts to reassert control, many of the women in the video appear standing, with several heading towards the door. After leaving the event on Tuesday, Ms. Bosch told the press the 60-year-old executive was 'not respectful' and claimed he called her 'dumb'. Mr. Itsaragrisil has contested this claim, stating his words were misunderstood. He is widely reported to have called the 25-year-old a 'dumbhead', but later contended he was implying she caused 'damage'.
His conduct prompted a stern rebuke from the MUO, which has sent a delegation of international executives to take over running the competition. MUO President Raul Rocha stated that Mr. Itsaragrisil had 'forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host', emphasizing that his actions humiliated and insulted Ms. Bosch and that he committed 'serious abuse' by intimidating her. Mr. Itsaragrisil's participation in the pageant would be limited 'as much as possible' or eliminated entirely, with the MUO considering legal actions against him.
'We are in the 21st century. I'm not a doll to be made up, styled and have my clothes changed,' Ms. Bosch said, reiterating her commitment to be a voice for women. The controversy has sparked outrage on social media, with the pageant pressing on despite the incident, as contestants took part in a welcome event in Bangkok, leading up to the announcement of the new Miss Universe on 21 November.
