The Miss Universe Organization has restricted Nawat Itsaragrisil from involvement in pageant events following a viral moment in which he insulted Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch.
“I will not allow the values of respect and dignity towards women to be violated,” the organization’s president, Raúl Rocha, said in a video shared via Instagram on Tuesday, November 4.
Rocha went on to express “great indignation towards Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fátima Bosch, Miss Universe Mexico, whom he humiliated, insulted and showed lack of respect to.”
Rocha described Itsaragrisil, 60, as someone who has “forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host.”
What a commotion at Miss Universe! Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch dominating headlines and social media after a tense exchange with Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, who currently holds executive positions within both the Miss Universe Organization and Miss Universe Thailand, in addition to serving as president of Miss Grand International. The scandal began on Monday, November 3, […]
“He has an obligation to serve them, assist them and support them, and to ensure that they have a unique life experience filled with kindness and courtesy,” he continued. “So that they may enjoy and take from Thailand the best memories of their lives, in an atmosphere of healthy and friendly competition.”
Rocha then revealed the Miss Universe Organization’s decision to postpone the sash presentation ceremony in order to “avoid any interaction with Nawat,” as well as to restrict Itsaragrisil’s participation in events related to the 74th Miss Universe competition — “limiting it as much as possible or eliminating it entirely.”
Rocha also ordered Miss Universe Organization CEO Mario Bucaro to release a statement detailing “all legal actions they will undertake as a result of the malicious acts committed by Nawat.”
Finally, Rocha stated that Miss Universe would be dissociating from Miss Grand International, the organization run by Itsaragrisil. (The Thai TV personality also holds executive positions within the Miss Universe Organization and Miss Universe Thailand.)
Fatima Bosch Courtesy of Fatima Bosch/Instagram
“We had, unfortunately, trusted [MGI], and that trust has failed under the unfortunate leadership of Nawat,” Rocha said. “At Miss Universe, the values of respect and dignity for women are neither negotiable, and we differ strongly from MGI.”
Itsaragrisil went viral on social media earlier this week for a tense exchange with Bosch, 25, during a sash ceremony in which he called the Mexican model a “dumbhead,” an expression that means “fool” or “empty-headed.” The insult came after Itsaragrisil had questioned why Bosch did not post about their host country, Thailand, on social media, according to the outlet N+.
As seen in footage of the argument, Bosch told Itsaragrisil, “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.”
Itsaragrisil responded, “No, you must listen to me first, then argue with me.”
Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt is standing with her beauty pageant sisters. After Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch and other contestants walked out after feeling disrespected by Miss Universe executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, Voigt, 26, expressed her full support for the women who took a stand. “When I woke up yesterday morning and saw the video circulating […]
Bosch ultimately left the room in protest, followed by many fellow contestants in solidarity — including the current Miss Universe, Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig.
Bosch told the media of the incident, “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.”
She concluded, “It doesn’t matter if you have a big dream or a crown. If it takes away your dignity, you should walk away.”
Itsaragrisil issued a public apology for his behavior during a press conference on Wednesday, November 5.
“I am human. I didn’t want to do anything like that,” he said, according to USA Today.
Itsaragrisil later apologized to the contestants directly at a ceremony.
“I want to take this opportunity to say something about something that’s happened. Because I am a human,” he added. “I think you must understand the pressure is a lot, I am a human sometimes. I cannot control. By the way, I have not intend to hurt anyone.”
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