The Miss Universe 2025 competition turned into a whirlwind of drama when Victoria Theilvig, the newly crowned winner, made a bold exit from a live-streamed event in Bangkok, Thailand. The chaos erupted after Nawat Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania at the Miss Universe Organization, publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico, Melissa Flores Bosch, accusing her of "disrespect" during a sashing ceremony. The scene, aired live, left audiences and contestants stunned.
The tension reached a boiling point when footage showed Nawat demanding Bosch to explain her absence from a sponsor shoot. When Bosch, clearly uncomfortable, declined to respond, Nawat shockingly labeled her "dumb" and ordered her removal from the event. As Bosch was escorted out, a wave of protest swept through the room. Leading the dissent was Theilvig, who stated, "This is about women’s rights. We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled. To trash another girl. It’s beyond disrespectful. That’s why I’m taking my coat and I’m going."
“The way he belittles Miss Mexico is making my blood boil,” one viewer passionately commented on social media, reflecting the widespread outrage.
As clips of the dramatic exit went viral, social media erupted with praise for Theilvig's courage and Bosch's composure. Many viewers were appalled by the public humiliation Bosch endured and applauded her for maintaining grace under pressure. "They just treated her terribly, attacked and humiliated her in front of everyone," one post read, recognizing Bosch's strength.
Meanwhile, accusations of intimidation surfaced as reports suggested Nawat warned contestants to stay seated if they wished to remain in the competition. "He DARED to threaten the rest of the candidates," fumed one fan, highlighting the tension between empowerment and control.
In an attempt to quell the controversy, the Miss Universe Organization released a statement reassuring that all scheduled events would proceed as planned. They emphasized their commitment to diversity, empowerment, and inclusion, though the incident has cast a shadow over these values.
This scandal isn't the first to hit the pageant this year. Allegations of favoritism and "rigging" have plagued the competition, particularly following the crowning of Miss Cuba 2025, Lina Luaces. As the daughter of Univision host Lili Estefan and niece of the Estefan musical family, her victory sparked cries of nepotism, further straining the competition's credibility.
The Bangkok walkout has undeniably left a mark, revealing a rift between the organization's public image and internal dynamics.