The 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand has been overshadowed by controversy, culminating in the dismissal of host Nawat Itsaragrisil following allegations of misconduct. The drama unfolded during a meeting where Nawat reportedly insulted Mexico’s delegate, Fatima Bosch, calling her a ‘dumbhead’ during a dispute over promotional content. Bosch staged a dramatic walkout, supported by other contestants, including Miss Iraq, who stood in solidarity with her. Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha condemned Nawat’s actions, stating that ‘the values of respect and dignity toward women’ had been violated. Rocha announced that Nawat’s participation in the event would be restricted, and legal action would be pursued for his ‘malicious acts.’ Nawat later appeared at a press conference, tearfully claiming he had been ‘betrayed’ and offering a public apology during the opening ceremony. This incident is not Nawat’s first controversy; last year, he faced criticism during the Miss Grand International pageant for poor treatment of contestants. The Miss Universe pageant, one of the ‘big four’ global beauty contests, has also been marred by other issues, including an investigation into participants allegedly promoting an online casino. Despite the turmoil, the final is scheduled for November 21 in Nonthaburi province.
Miss Universe official dismissed after ‘malicious acts’; legal action to be taken
