Online Reporter
A Miss Universe boss was axed from this year’s pageant just days after he branded Miss Mexico a ‘dummy’ and sparked a walkout among contestants.
Nawat Itsaragrisil, 60, landed in hot water Tuesday after singling out Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch, 25, in front of a crowd ahead of the sashing ceremony, blasting her for skipping a sponsorship shoot earlier that day.
‘Mexico, where are you? I heard you’re not going to support everything about Thailand. Is that true?’ he said, before going on to call her a ‘dummy.’
Hours later, Miss Universe president Raúl Rocha revealed that Itsaragrisil would be booted from this year’s competition and hit with several sanctions, even after his tearful apology.
In an Instagram video, Rocha, speaking in Spanish, said: ‘I have restricted Nawat’s participation in the events that are part of the 74th Miss Universe competition, limiting it as much as possible or eliminating it entirely.’
He began his statement by expressing love and support for contestants from all 122 countries and offering his respect to Thailand, this year’s host nation.
‘I will not allow the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated,’ the president said.
‘Unfortunately, Newat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host ,’ he added. ‘It means to demonstrate to all delegates, of all countries, that he as a host has the obligation to serve them, assist them and support them.’
Rocha stressed that the pageant’s goal is to unite people from all walks of life and backgrounds, creating an environment of ‘healthy and friendly competition.’
The focus turned to the incident itself, with Rocha expressing his support for Bosch and condemning the way she was treated while representing Miss Mexico on a world stage.
‘My great indignation toward Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fátima Bosch, whom he humiliated, insulted, and he showed a lack of respect,’ Rocha began.
‘In addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenceless woman, trying to silence and exclude her, Nawat, you need to stop,’ he added starkly.
‘Every woman in the world should be respected, and Fátima, who in addition to being a voice of her own, represents her country as well.’
Rocha urged CEO Mario Bucaro to speak for the pageant and hinted that legal action could be coming ‘as a result of the malicious acts committed by Nawat.’
Organisers have since postponed the sash presentation to ‘avoid any interaction’ with Itsaragrisil.
The unprecedented incident unfolded during a live-streamed ceremony, as Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania of the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted Bosch about missing a shoot.
In footage broadcast on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, he asked Bosch to stand and ‘explain herself’ in front of the rolling cameras, before instructing security personnel to escort her out of the hotel after she insisted on ‘using my voice.’
In a mass revolt in support of the beauty queen, several of her fellow contestants proceeded to stand up from their seats, ready to storm out of the room.
A distressed Itsaragrisil could be heard shouting ‘stop, stop!’ as the models began making their way out of the ceremony, demanding that they ‘sit down.’
When a clearly uncomfortable Bosch tried to tell the president she didn’t want to be scolded in front of the other contestants, he grabbed the microphone and snapped: ‘I didn’t give you the opportunity to talk. I’m still talking, I’m still talking, listen!’
‘I have a voice,’ Miss Mexico replied, accusing Itsaragrisil of ‘not respecting me as a woman.’
The argument continued, with the president saying: ‘My question is: Can you work to promote Thailand or not – yes or no?’
Itsaragrisil then instructed security to escort Bosch out of the hotel.
New footage then appeared of Itsaragrisil defending his comments, insisting he was ‘human’ and never meant to stir such controversy.
‘I am human. I didn’t want to do anything like that,’ he said.
Later on Wednesday, he apologised to a separate crowd of people as the various Miss Universe delegates stood behind him.
‘I had not (intended) to harm anyone because I respect all of you. I am so sorry it happened. First, I have to apologise to the delegates.’
‘If anyone was affected and not comfortable with what happened, I am so sorry,’ he said -Daily Mail.
