Miss Universe Mexico Fátima Bosch found herself in the middle of multiple unexpected controversies during the lead-up to the 2025 Miss Universe beauty pageant.
Bosch became the first-ever queen from the Mexican state of Tabasco to win Miss Universe Mexico in September 2025, but her crowning moment went viral for all the wrong reasons. The Miss Universe Mexico live audience booed her win and several other competitors declined to congratulate her on stage because they felt another contestant should have taken the crown.
At the Miss Universe 2025 sash ceremony in November 2025, Bosch was at the center of drama once again during a very public spat with pageant official Nawat Itsaragrisil over her promotion of the event on social media. Bosch ultimately walked out of the ceremony when Itsaragrisil referred to her as “dumb” — though, this time, several other pageant queens joined her in leaving the hall in solidarity.
“[Itsaragrisil] called me dumb because he has issues with the organization, and I think that’s unfair,” Bosch told reporters outside the ballroom.
Us explains the controversies involving Bosch below.
Who Is Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch?
Fátima Bosch was born in Santiago de Teapa in the Mexican state of Tabasco. She studied fashion design at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico, as well as attending the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy, and the Lyndon Institute in Vermont.
Bosch has discussed facing bullying in school for having dyslexia and Adult Hyperactivity Disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic, dyslexia is a “learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds,” while ADHD is a mental health disorder that can lead to “difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.”
Her national pageant career began by winning the Flor de Oro crown in Tabasco in 2018. She has gained more than 990,000 followers on Instagram and more than 690,000 on TikTok since winning the prestigious title.
The biggest moment in Bosch’s pageant career thus far occurred at the Miss Universe Mexico 2025 event in September 2025. Bosch made history as the first woman from Tabasco to win Miss Universe Mexico, though her victory was not without controversy.
Why Was There Controversy Over Fatima Bosch’s Miss Mexico 2025 Win?
Many observers and several of the other pageant queens expected Yoana Gutiérrez, Miss Jalisco, to win Miss Universe Mexico 2025. When Bosch was announced as the victor instead, some in the live audience outright booed and other contestants chanted, “Jalisco won!” Footage of the snub went viral on YouTube and other social media platforms.
Only four of the 32 other contestants — Lorena Lopez, Fernanda Puma, Emiré Arellano and Elena Roldán — walked over to hug Bosch following her victory.
Camila Canto, who competed in Miss Universe Mexico as Miss Puebla, explained that she did not approach Bosch because she would have felt like a “hypocrite.”
“I don’t think Fátima deserved to win, and that’s a 100% respectable opinion,” Canto wrote via social media.
How Did Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch Respond to the Snub?
Bosch exclusively told Luxury Handbag Shopping en Español that she was truly thankful for the four Miss Universe Mexico contestants who did support her.
“I’d rather have four hugs from people I know genuinely care for me,” she told Us. “Lorena, Fernanda Puma, Emiré, and Elena are queens in every sense of the word.”
She added, “Nothing and no one will keep me from enjoying this crown.”
The Miss Universe Mexico 2025 winner argued that incidents like the one she’d experienced “shouldn’t happen,” before likening the ordeal to being bullied as a child.
“When something like this happens as an adult, you can’t help but feel like that vulnerable child in the classroom again,” she said. “But we can’t give anyone the power to affect our mood. If you’ve earned the crown, you worked for it.”
She suggested that, in some cases, sisterhood can be “just words” rather than action in the pageant community.
Why Did Nawat Itsaragrisil Say to Fatima Bosch at the Miss Universe Sash Ceremony?
Bosch once again became involved in controversy during the sash ceremony for Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2025.
Nawat Itsaragrisil, an executive for both the Miss Universe Organization and Miss Universe Thailand, got into a very public argument with Bosch, where he complained that she did not adequately promote this year’s home country, Thailand, via social media by taking part in a photo shoot.
Viral footage showed Bosch demanding Itsaragrisil to show her “respect” as she complained that it was “it’s not my fault you have problems with my [Mexico] organization.”
“No, you must listen to me first, then argue with me,” Itsaragrisil shot back.
During the heated disagreement, Itsaragrisil also allegedly called Bosch a “dumbhead” for following her “national director’s orders.” (“Dumbhead” is an expression that means “fool” or “empty-headed.”) Several other contestants — including Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig — joined Bosch in walking out of the ceremony.
“Stop,” Itsaragrisil commanded. “No. Stop.”
Itsaragrisil ultimately called in security as the sash ceremony descended in chaos.
How Did Fatima Bosch Respond to Clash With Nawat Itsaragrisil?
Bosch was near tears as she explained to reporters outside the ballroom why she’d walked out of the sash ceremony.
“He called me dumb because he has issues with the organization, and I think that’s unfair,” she explained. “I think the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and this platform is for our voices. No one can silence it. No one will silence me.”
She once again insisted that she was not going to let any controversy behind the scenes take away from her reign as Miss Universe Mexico.
“It doesn’t matter if you have a big dream or a crown,” she said. “If it takes away your dignity, you should walk away.”
Miss Universe Responds to the Controversy
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) responded amid the growing controversy by promising to honor its “values of diversity, empowerment, and inclusion.”
“The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) reaffirms its commitment to work closely with the host community, the Miss Grand International Organization (MGI), and all local partners to ensure the success of the 74th edition of the pageant. A high-level delegation, led by the MUO’s CEO, Mr. Mario Búcaro, is traveling to Thailand to strengthen collaboration with the host country, MGI, and relevant authorities,” the MUO statement read. “All scheduled events and activities will take place as planned, reaffirming our shared goal of delivering a global celebration that reflects the values of diversity, empowerment, and inclusion that define the legacy of Miss Universe.”
Miss Universe 2024 winner Kjær Theilvig told reporters that Bosch’s walkout underlined a larger debate about “women’s rights.”
“We respect everyone, but this is not how things should be handled. Insulting another contestant is a huge lack of respect, and I would never do that,” she said. “That’s why I’m putting on my coat and leaving.”
