A Tumultuous Situation at Miss Universe 2025
Miss Universe executive director Nawat Itsaragrisil, who also serves as president of Miss Grand International (MGI), broke down in tears during a recent event, revealing the immense pressure he is facing. The emotional moment occurred during Wednesday’s welcoming ceremony, which took place amid rising tensions between Itsaragrisil and the Miss Universe Organization (MUO). The conflict began on November 2 when MUO canceled an online voting event that Itsaragrisil had organized, labeling it “invalid.”
The situation escalated further at the sashing ceremony a day prior, where several contestants reportedly walked out following a dispute between Itsaragrisil and Miss Universe Mexico, according to reports from Thailand’s Thairath newspaper.
Accusations and Condemnations
Raul Rocha, president of MUO, condemned Itsaragrisil for what he described as “malicious acts” and an “obsession with being the center of attention.” Rocha accused him of disrespecting contestants and announced that Itsaragrisil had been barred from participating in the competition. He added that MUO has restricted Itsaragrisil from involvement in the competition and assigned senior executives Mario Bucaro and Ronald Day to Thailand to oversee preparations.
On the afternoon of November 5, Itsaragrisil made an appearance at a press conference to apologize, as reported by USA Today. He admitted to being aggressive but emphasized that his intentions were to ensure the best outcome for the pageant. He expressed hope for continued cooperation despite the ongoing issues.
Emotional Apology and Personal Struggles
During the press conference, Itsaragrisil spoke in tears, stating that he was under significant pressure, felt betrayed, and was forced to apologize while, in his view, others continued to hurt him. He explained that he had several disagreements with MUO, particularly over alleged illegal online gambling promotions. According to Itsaragrisil, he had filed a report with Thai police and wanted to protect the contestants’ dignity and the reputation of the pageant.
Itsaragrisil argued that Rocha could not limit his authority because his company MGI holds the official hosting rights for Miss Universe 2025. He claimed that he was trying to prevent contestants from being used to promote illegal activities. Additionally, he mentioned that he had invested more than 6 million USD in Miss Universe 2025, and tensions rose after some contestants refused to fulfill their contracts with sponsors.
Preparations for Miss Universe 2025
Miss Universe 2025 is scheduled to take place from November 2 to November 21 in Thailand, featuring 122 contestants. Vietnam is represented by transgender model Nguyen Huong Giang. Contestants have already completed some early event activities, including filming, meetings, and receiving their sashes.
The competition will include several rounds, such as the national costume, swimsuit, evening gown, and closed-door interview events, which will determine the top 30, top 12, top 5, and the final winner of Miss Universe 2025. The event is expected to draw significant attention and showcase the talents and beauty of participants from around the world.