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Several Miss Universe contestants walked out of a pre-pageant event in Thailand after the local director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, harshly scolded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, for not posting promotional content.
The confrontation, live-streamed online, showed Mr. Nawat shouting at Bosch and calling security when she objected. He warned that anyone leaving would be disqualified, but many contestants stood up and left anyway in solidarity with Ms. Mexico.
The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) condemned his behavior as “malicious,” saying he had humiliated and intimidated Bosch. MUO President Raul Rocha announced that Mr. Nawat’s role would be reduced or removed and said legal action may follow. Mr. Nawat later apologized, saying his words were misunderstood.
Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, joined the walkout, saying it was about “women’s rights.” Bosch later said she wanted to speak for women who fight for causes. “We’re in the 21st century. I’m not a doll to be made up, styled and have my clothes changed,” she added.
Despite the uproar, the Miss Universe contest continues in Bangkok, with the final set for 21 November.
Born in Santiago de Teapa, Tabasco, Fátima Bosch studied fashion design at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico, attended the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, and spent time at the Lyndon Institute in Vermont.
Bosch has been open about facing bullying in school for having dyslexia and ADHD, challenges she’s turned into strength.
Contestants in Miss Universe and similar pageants usually sign contracts that require them to help promote the event and its sponsors. These agreements often include clauses about social media activity, such as:
Posting a certain number of photos or videos before and during the competition
Tagging official sponsors or using event hashtags
Avoiding negative or political comments
So while each contestant manages her own social media, she’s generally obliged by contract to make these promotional posts as part of her participation.
That said, enforcement can vary. Usually, organizers remind contestants privately if they fall behind. Publicly berating someone, as Mr. Nawat did, is highly unusual and widely seen as unprofessional and disrespectful, even if the rule technically existed.
Source: BBC.
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