Miss Universe 2025 has been embroiled in ongoing controversy, and the drama escalated with a new defamation lawsuit. Nawat Itsaragrisil, director of Miss Universe Thailand, has filed a complaint against Fátima Bosch, the pageant winner, for alleged defamation.
Itsaragrisil’s legal team asserts he never called Bosch “empty-headed.” Instead, they claim he used the word “harmful,” a distinction they say is clear in widely circulated voice recordings.
The judicial document, translated and published on Miss Universe Thailand’s official Facebook account, forms the basis of the lawsuit. It alleges Bosch made false accusations to the media immediately after a contentious exchange.
The document further claims Bosch never apologized and continued her false accusations. This was ostensibly for her own benefit and to justify herself during the competition.
Itsaragrisil’s team warns of further legal action if Bosch persists with “defamatory statements.” They also stated they would pursue legal action against any media outlets found to be cooperating and complicit.
The initial confrontation occurred on November 4, during the sash ceremony. Itsaragrisil questioned Bosch about her social media activity regarding host country Thailand.
Bosch reportedly clarified it was a misunderstanding. Itsaragrisil then allegedly made the controversial remark that sparked the initial dispute.
Bosch left the room, accompanied by other contestants who witnessed the incident. She then told the media that Itsaragrisil had disrespected her and called her “empty-headed.”
Bosch positioned her stance as a defense of women in the pageant. She stated, “Nobody can close our voice, nobody will do that to me.”
Raúl Rocha Cantú, co-owner and president of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), defended Fátima Bosch following the incident. Itsaragrisil was subsequently removed from the pageant and faced legal action from the MUO.
Rocha confirmed that MUO had initiated legal actions against Itsaragrisil. He had tasked CEO Mario Búcaro with coordinating with local lawyers in Thailand.
Despite Itsaragrisil offering a tearful apology, MUO executives deemed it insufficient.
Fátima Bosch went on to win Miss Universe 2025. Her victory has also been shadowed by controversies, including allegations of a rigged outcome to favor business dealings between her father and Raúl Rocha.
Bosch has firmly denied all accusations. She states that “everything is a lie” and maintains that “I won.”