‘You dummy’: Miss Universe contestants stage walkout after executive publicly humiliates Miss Mexico

A Miss Universe pre-pageant event in Thailand erupted into chaos after an executive publicly berated Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, calling her a “dummy” during a confrontation that played out on a live broadcast.

The incident, which took place during the annual sash ceremony, triggered an immediate walkout by more than a dozen contestants, including the reigning Miss Universe, Victoria Theilvig, in a rare collective protest against what they described as disrespect and humiliation.

The confrontation that sparked the walkout

The exchange began when Nawat Itsaragrisil, an executive linked to the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted Bosch for not taking part in a sponsored social media shoot.

Instead of addressing the issue privately, he questioned her in front of the assembled contestants, accusing her of showing “no respect” and implying she was ignoring pageant rules in favour of her national directors.When Bosch stood up to respond, stating she had a right to speak, the executive interrupted and called her a “dummy”, prompting audible shock and disapproval from the room.Bosch replied,“I have a voice. You are not respecting me as a woman.”

Itsaragrisil then ordered security to remove her from the ceremony.

Contestants rally behind Bosch

As Bosch walked out, over a dozen contestants immediately stood and followed, including Theilvig. Many expressed outrage that a participant representing her country was insulted publicly.

Theilvig told reporters:“This is about women’s rights. To trash another girl is beyond disrespectful, and I won’t be part of that.”She added that she would not return to the sash ceremony.Others criticised the executive directly, calling the treatment “humiliating”, “intimidating” and “unprofessional”.

Organisation responds amid backlash

Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú later acknowledged that Bosch had been humiliated and disrespected during the event. He said that newly appointed CEO Mario Búcaro would be sent to Thailand to oversee the remainder of the competition and that Itsaragrisil’s involvement would be significantly reduced.The decision came after widespread calls online demanding that the executive be removed from his post.

Bosch speaks out

Speaking after the incident, Bosch said she was shocked and disappointed by how she was treated.“I am doing everything right. I try to be respectful and kind. To be called stupid and told to shut up in front of my peers was unfair,” she said.She added that she hoped what happened would lead to systemic change in the pageant world.