A recent incident during the Miss Universe pageant preparations in Bangkok has sparked widespread outrage and discussions about misogyny in beauty contests. Pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil, of Thailand, raised eyebrows during the pageant after publicly humiliating Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico. This shocking incident happened live, in praeconio pre-conference streamed. Tension increased when Itsaragrisil lashed out against Bosch for not adequately showcasing the host country, Thailand. This accusation opened the floodgates for allegations of abuse and misogynistic behavior directed toward her.
That’s what happened in this tragic incident that occurred on Sunday when over a dozen USCC racers had just convened for a pre-event briefing. Itsaragrisil’s criticism escalated to berating Bosch, a confrontation that was captured on video and quickly circulated online, drawing condemnation globally. Supporters say his comments reveal bigger problems in how society treats women. This is doubly true in cutthroat environments such as beauty competitions.
Accusations and Reactions
Immediately after the incident, Itsaragrisil went on the offensive. He denied ever having made the comments he’s been accused of making and maintained that he only accused Bosch of inflicting “harm.” This explanation was not enough to stop the storm of criticism. Raúl Rocha, president of the Miss Universe Organization, publicly criticized Itsaragrisil and took decisive action by restricting his participation in the ongoing pageant activities.
Rocha added that she has limited Nawat’s involvement in the 74th Miss Universe contest. For example, she has restricted it to the greatest extent practicable, if not completely removing it. He subsequently apologized to Bosch and the other contestants, live on-stage, at a welcome ceremony streamed around the world. He acknowledged just how traumatic the experience was for each person present.
After listening to her episode, Fatima Bosch had some great reflections to share. She replied, “I feel like that’s not fair because I’m here, and I do everything good. I don’t bother nobody. I just want to be as nice as possible. I’m trying to put my best forward.” Her response struck a chord because everyone who saw her bravely human reaction felt the presence of someone being respectful and courageous.
Global Condemnation
The worldwide reaction to the attack has been swift. Claudia Sheinbaum, then-mayor of Mexico City, called the confrontation an “aggression” and applauded Bosch’s calmness in the face of attack. As she put it, “Women are more beautiful when we scream and we yell and we vote. Because that’s directly related to the acknowledgement and recognition of our rights. So, I recognize this young woman.”
Sheinbaum referenced a common sexist phrase used in Mexico: “Calladita te ves más bonita,” translated as “You look more beautiful when you’re silent.” This welcome comment points to a much more systemic challenge we face today of women’s voices being suppressed in all areas of public life.
Catalina Ruiz Navarro, Colombian feminist activist and journalist, praised Bosch’s courage in going head-to-head with Itsaragrisil. She called her response “really brave.” She continued, noting that these instances are important markers for a changing culture in how women are willing to challenge authority. Navarro expanded on her previous argument that beauty pageants often put women through patriarchal gauntlets. This underlines the growing urgency for reform within these competitions.
Voices from Within
Additionally, former contestants have spoken out on the issue. Furthering the fiery feminist, Miss Universe 2023 and representative of Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios shocked the world. She claimed, “A crown mustn’t make a woman lose her dignity.” Her remarks reinforce the notion that beauty pageants should continue to be kept out of the realm of respectability and dignity.
Alicia Machado, who won the Miss Universe pageant in 1996 while representing Venezuela, expressed her excitement about the upcoming competition. Drawing on her wealth of experience, she addressed the audience about the need for continuous ethical conduct in pageantry. “I can’t think of a reason why these massive international competitions are still allowed to get away with bad behavior without consequence,” she described.
The ongoing controversy serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play within beauty pageants and society at large. Preparations for this year’s Miss Universe pageant are well underway in Bangkok. These contestants from 130 countries are none too pleased about playing the world’s biggest game of hot seat during the crowning ceremony on November 21.
