Miss Universe Bans Nawat Itsaragrisil Following Disparagement of Miss Mexico
The Miss Universe Organization has banned Nawat Itsaragrisil from participating in its beauty pageant activities after a widely shared incident where he disparaged Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch.
“I will not permit the principles of reverence and esteem for women to be breached,” stated the organization’s president, Raúl Rocha, in a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday, November 4.
Rocha further conveyed his “profound displeasure with Nawat for the blatant hostility he displayed towards Fátima Bosch, Miss Universe Mexico, whom he shamed, disparaged, and treated without deference.”
Rocha characterized Itsaragrisil, aged 60, as an individual who has “lost sight of the authentic essence of what it entails to be a proper host.”
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“He is bound to attend to them, aid them, and champion them, guaranteeing they experience a singular journey marked by benevolence and politeness,” he added. “This is so they can relish and depart from Thailand with the most cherished recollections of their existence, within an environment of wholesome and amicable rivalry.”
Rocha subsequently disclosed the Miss Universe Organization’s choice to delay the sash awarding event, aiming to “prevent any contact with Nawat,” and also to curb Itsaragrisil’s involvement in occasions connected to the 74th Miss Universe contest — “either minimizing it significantly or completely removing it.”
Rocha additionally instructed Miss Universe Organization CEO Mario Bucaro to issue a declaration outlining “every legal measure they intend to pursue consequent to the harmful deeds carried out by Nawat.”
Ultimately, Rocha declared that Miss Universe intended to sever ties with Miss Grand International, the entity managed by Itsaragrisil. (The Thai media figure concurrently holds leadership roles within both the Miss Universe Organization and Miss Universe Thailand.)
“Regrettably, we had placed our faith in [MGI], and that confidence has been betrayed under Nawat’s regrettable guidance,” Rocha commented. “Within Miss Universe, the principles of honoring and valuing women are non-negotiable, and our stance diverges significantly from MGI’s.”
Itsaragrisil gained widespread attention online earlier this week following a strained confrontation with Bosch, 25, during a sash event where he labeled the Mexican model a “dumbhead,” a term signifying “foolish” or “unintelligent.” This verbal attack occurred after Itsaragrisil had inquired why Bosch had not shared content about their host nation, Thailand, on social platforms, as reported by N+.
According to video recordings of the dispute, Bosch stated to Itsaragrisil, “We show you respect, just as you ought to respect us. I am present here as a delegate for my nation, and your issues with my organization are not my responsibility.”
Itsaragrisil retorted, “No, you are obligated to hear me out initially, before engaging in an argument.”
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Bosch eventually departed the venue in dissent, joined by numerous other contestants in support — among them the reigning Miss Universe, Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig.
Bosch informed reporters about the occurrence, saying, “He labeled me unintelligent because of his grievances with the organization, and I find that unjust. … I believe the world ought to witness this, given that we are strong women and this forum exists for our expressions. No one can suppress it. No one will silence me.”
She finished by stating, “It is inconsequential whether you possess a grand aspiration or a coronet. If it strips you of your self-respect, you must withdraw.”
Itsaragrisil delivered a public apology for his conduct at a press conference held on Wednesday, November 5.
“I am a person. I had no desire to act in such a manner,” he conveyed, as reported by USA Today.
Itsaragrisil subsequently offered his apologies directly to the participants at a formal gathering.
“I wish to utilize this moment to address an incident that has occurred. As I am human,” he further remarked. “I believe you must comprehend the immense pressure, I am occasionally human. I cannot always maintain control. Furthermore, I harbored no intention of causing harm to anyone.”
