NONTHABURI, Thailand (AFP) — Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe in Thailand on Friday, strutting to victory after several dramatic missteps before the final round, including a walkout when an organiser of the beauty pageant chastised her.

Contestants from Ivory Coast, the Philippines, Thailand, and Venezuela also made it to the final stage, selected from more than 120 women vying for the title in a contest considered one of the “big four” of global beauty pageants.

However, chaos reigned before Bosch was crowned, from allegations of an insult to her intelligence to judges quitting and participants falling on and off the stage.

The dramatic walkout stemmed from a meeting where she was lambasted by Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil.

Nawat appeared in a livestream of the event to single her out during a dispute over her apparent failure to post promotional content on her social media accounts.

Bosch, flanked by Miss Iraq, walked out of the room after Nawat called for security to intervene.

Others appeared to rise in solidarity with Bosch, before freezing as Nawat warned that those still wanting to participate should “sit down”.

“What your director did is not respectful: He called me dumb,” Bosch told reporters at the time. “The world needs to see this because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice.”

The newly crowned winner told a press conference on Friday that she would like to be remembered as “a Miss Universe that wasn’t afraid to be herself” and “a person that changed, a little bit, the prototype of what is a Miss Universe”.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had called Bosch an “example of how we women should speak out” in the face of aggression.

Nawat later apologised.

He initially declined to comment when asked about Bosch on Friday, telling reporters he’d “rather not talk about her”.

Nawat then congratulated her later in the same news conference.

“I do support, and congratulations again to Mexico’s fans,” he said.

In Villahermosa, Bosch’s hometown, thousands of people gathered at a baseball stadium to watch the pageant live.

Other drama in the run-up to the final round included two judges quitting this week, one alleging that the contest was rigged by a “secret and illegitimate vote” held without the official jury.

“This vote was conducted by individuals who are not recognised members of the official judging panel,” French composer Omar Harfouch wrote in a statement posted on Instagram.

The Miss Universe Organization has denied Harfouch’s claim, saying that “no impromptu jury has been created”.

Former professional footballer Claude Makelele also withdrew as a judge, citing “unforeseen personal reasons” in a statement on social media.

Miss Britain Danielle Latimer tripped and fell flat on the stage during the costume round on Wednesday while wearing an outfit inspired by the Cockney character Eliza Doolittle.

And Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry was hospitalised and later withdrew from competition after she fell off the main stage during an evening gown showcase, president of the Miss Universe Organization Raul Rocha said in a statement.

Miss Universe Jamaica Public Relations Director Shannon-Dale Reid in a statement released late Friday evening on behalf of the organisation told the Jamaica Observer that Henry remains in hospital in Thailand.

He indicated that her mother and sister are with her.

The release indicated that Henry “will be required to remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a minimum of seven days as doctors continue their close monitoring and specialised care”.

The family he said, “encourage friends, supporters, and well-wishers worldwide to join in lifting her in love, strength, and hope” and asked the public and social media users “to avoid sharing negative comments, misinformation, or speculation that may cause further distress” as they focus on her recovery.

Top five contestants: (from left) Miss Ivory Coast Olivia Yace (fifth placed), Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, Miss Venezuela Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser (3rd), Miss Philippines Ahtisa Manalo (4th) and Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh (2nd) pose during the final competition of the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on November 21, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 Gabrielle Henry .