What Led to the Criminal Case Against Miss Universe 2025 Fatima Bosch?
MISS UNIVERSE 2025 – Just weeks after earning the Miss Universe crown, Fatima Bosch is now embroiled in a legal battle as Nawat Itsaragrisil files a criminal case against her in Thailand.
Miss Grand International (MGI) founder and owner Nawat Itsaragrisil has filed a criminal complaint against Miss Universe 2025 titleholder Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico. The legal action is connected to a contentious incident involving the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and Fatima that occurred on November 4, 2025.
Nawat, who acts as MUO’s vice-president for Asia and Oceania and also manages the Miss Universe Thailand franchise, was at the center of the dispute that unfolded during the sashing ceremony for the 74th Miss Universe competition in a hotel in Thailand. Social media circulated footage showing a heated confrontation inside the hotel ballroom, where Nawat was accused of scolding and humiliating Fatima in front of other pageant candidates.
Early reports indicated that the issue began when Fatima missed a scheduled sponsor shoot but agreed to film a separate segment for Telemundo, the American-Spanish network broadcasting the Miss Universe pageant. Tensions reportedly rose from there, with witnesses claiming that both Nawat and Miss Mexico exchanged pointed remarks. Nawat also allegedly hinted at a problem involving Raul Rocha, the national director of Miss Universe Mexico.
After the altercation, Fatima exited the venue with a number of contestants who sided with her. Speaking to pageant supporters afterward, she said she felt disrespected by Nawat.
“I truly love Thailand. I have so much respect for all of you, and I believe you are amazing people. But what your director, Nawat, just did was not respectful.
“He called me ‘dumb’ because of his issue with the organization, and I think that’s unfair. I believe the world needs to hear and see this, because we are all empowered women,” she said.
On December 2, Nawat addressed the controversy in an official statement released through the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page and the Miss Grand International Public Company Ltd., firmly rejecting Fatima’s claims.
“Miss Grand International Public Company Limited and Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil, President of the Host Committee of the 74th Miss Universe, would like to officially clarify once again as follows:
“With regard to the incident reported by multiple media outlets involving the interaction between Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil and Ms. Fatima Bosch Fernandez on 4 November 2025 during the Miss Universe pageant:
“We wish to reaffirm that Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil never called Ms. Fatima Bosch a ‘dumbhead.’ What he said was ‘damage,’ which is clearly audible in the voice recordings that have already been widely circulated across various platforms.
“The said sentence ‘If you follow the order from your national director you’re damage, if you not you can do it. I very happy and the good report will go to organize…
“However, when Ms. Fatima Bosch Fernandez walked out of the room, she immediately made a false accusation in front of the media by publicly claiming otherwise.
“Even after she later became aware of the facts, she did not apologize to Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil.
“Instead, she continued to falsely accuse him in multiple interviews, seemingly for personal gain and to justify herself throughout the competition—after which she was ultimately crowned Miss Universe, as everyone is aware.
“Furthermore, despite already holding the title, Ms. Fatima Bosch has continued to give interviews misrepresenting the incident, repeatedly defaming Mr. Nawat across various media channels.
“Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil has formally filed a criminal complaint against Ms. Fatima Bosch Fernandez in Thailand on 12 November 2025.
“If any further defamatory actions are discovered, additional legal action will be taken to the fullest extent of the law.
“We request that all media outlets exercise caution when reporting this matter and refrain from cooperating with or amplifying Ms. Fatima’s false allegations. Failure to do so may result in legal action against such media entities as co-conspirators in defamation.”
As of this publication, Fatima’s team has yet to release a response to Nawat’s statement.
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