Among the historical scandals that have arisen at the Miss Universe pageant, the 2025 edition already seems unmatched. Now, Thai executive Nawat Itsaragrisildirector of Miss Universe Thailand, has taken center stage again: she has filed a complaint against the Mexican contestant Fátima Bosch Fernández, the winner of the contest, for alleged defamation.
“We want to reaffirm that Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil never said Ms. Fátima Bosch was a ‘brainless’ person. What he said was ‘damage’, which can be clearly heard in the voice recordings that have been widely circulated on various platforms,” says the translated legal document, posted on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page.
The statement also alleges that Bosch, 25, left the courtroom and “immediately made a false accusation to the media,” claiming otherwise, and at no point chose to apologize but instead continued to falsely accuse him. Apparently for their own benefit and to justify themselves during the competition”, he says.
Finally, the document warns that “they will take appropriate legal action, to the fullest extent of the law,” if Bosch continues to make “defamatory statements.” He even claims that they would consider legal action against the media for “cooperating and being complicit”.
Nawat Itsaragrisil
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)“Harmful” or “brainless”? What happened between Fátima Bosch and Nawat Itsaragrisil
On November 4 (local time), during the sashing ceremony, the Thai executive and the Mexican model had a heated exchange that ended with Fátima Bosch leaving the room. She was even accompanied by other contestants who witnessed the controversial moment.
Nawat Itsaragrisil allegedly criticized her for not posting on social media about the host country, Thailand. Although he explained it was a misunderstanding, the businessman allegedly made the comment that sparked the controversy: “If you follow orders from your national director, you’re brainless.” However, the new statement now clarifies that the word used was indeed “harmful”.
After leaving the courtroom, Miss Mexico addressed the media and said: “What your director did is disrespectful. He called me brainless because he has problems with the organization, and I don’t think that’s fair.”
Bosch also emphasized that she stood up for the women in the pageant: “I think the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice. No one can silence our voice, no one will do that to me,” she declared.
Raúl Rocha, director general of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), is next to Fátima Bosch
Following the incident, 60-year-old Nawat was not only pulled from the pageant, but also faced legal consequences. The lawsuit was then confirmed by a Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantúco-owner and president of the MUO, in statements to the press.
Despite Nawat’s tearful apology, senior executives felt it wasn’t enough.
“I have instructed our CEO, Mario Búcaro, to hold meetings in Thailand and keep in touch with local lawyers about the legal actions to be taken,” Rocha told YouTube channel Tony Star TV.
In the end, Fátima Bosch won Miss Universe, but the shadow of that altercation still lingers, along with multiple controversies alleging that the crown was fixed to favor business between her father and the businessman. Raul Rocha. The model insists that “it’s all a lie” and remains firm: “I won.”