Miss Universe Executive Nawat Itsaragrisil Sues Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch for Alleged Defamation: Report

Among the historic scandals that have emerged in the Miss Universe pageant, the 2025 edition already seems unmatched. Now, Thai executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, director of Miss Universe Thailand, has taken center stage once again: he has filed a lawsuit against Mexican contestant Fátima Bosch Fernández, the pageant’s winner, for alleged defamation.

“We wish to reaffirm that Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil never called Ms. Fátima Bosch a ‘brainless’ person. What he said was ‘damage,’ which can be clearly heard in the voice recordings that have been widely circulated across various platforms,” reads the translated legal document, published on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page.

The statement also alleges that Bosch, 25, left the room and “immediately made a false accusation to the media,” claiming the opposite, and at no point did she choose to apologize but rather continued to falsely accuse him. Apparently for her own benefit and to justify herself during the competition,” it claims.

Finally, the document warns that they “will take appropriate legal action, to the fullest extent of the law,” if Bosch continues making “defamatory statements.” It even states that they would consider legal action against media outlets for “cooperating and being complicit.”

“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 walking out of the room. She was even accompanied by other contestants who witnessed the controversial moment.

Nawat Itsaragrisil allegedly criticized her for not posting about the host country, Thailand, on social media. Although she explained that it was a misunderstanding, the businessman allegedly made the comment that sparked the controversy: “If you follow your national director’s orders, you’re brainless.” However, the new statement now clarifies that the word used was actually “harmful.”

After leaving the room, Miss Mexico addressed the media and said: “What your director did is disrespectful. He called me brainless because he has issues with the organization, and I don’t think that’s fair.”

Bosch also emphasized that she was standing up for the women in the pageant: “I believe 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, CEO of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), Stands By Fátima Bosch

Following the incident, Nawat, 60, was not only removed from the pageant but also faced legal consequences. At the time, the lawsuit was confirmed by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú, coowner and president of the MUO, in statements to the press.

Despite Nawat’s tearful apology, top executives felt it wasn’t enough.

“I have tasked our CEO, Mario Búcaro, to hold meetings in Thailand and maintain contact with local attorneys regarding the legal actions to be taken,” Rocha told the 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 the crown was fixed to favor business dealings between her father and businessman Raúl Rocha. The model insists that “everything is a lie” and remains firm: “I won.”