Miss Universe in Turmoil: Walkouts, Public Clashes, and Judge Resignations Rock the Pageant

What is supposed to be one of the most glamorous global events has instead spiraled into one of its most chaotic years. With the Miss Universe final set to unfold in Thailand, the pageant has already generated headlines — not for gowns or crowns, but for walkouts, clashes between executives, furious contestants, and now judges resigning over alleged irregularities.

It all began with a dramatic moment that instantly went viral. Miss Mexico broke down in tears, later insisting she had been told to “shut up” during what should have been a celebratory sashing ceremony. Several contestants rose in solidarity, leaving the room in what some have dubbed a “beauty queen exodus.” Even the reigning Miss Universe joined the walkout, calling the treatment of Miss Mexico “trash” and “beyond disrespectful.”

BBC’s What in the World podcast, hosted by Hannah, called it “beauty turning ugly,” and journalist William Lee Adams — who has followed the pageant for years — says the spectacle reflects deeper tensions within the Miss Universe organization.

A Pageant Caught Between Falling TV Ratings and Exploding Social Media Fame

Miss Universe remains wildly popular across Latin America and Southeast Asia, but traditional TV audiences have declined sharply. The U.S. broadcast, for instance, has dropped from 7.7 million viewers in 2014 to just over 2 million last year. Yet online, the brand is booming, with more than 1.1 billion social media interactions during the last competition.

This split — shrinking TV numbers but massive online engagement — has created a struggle over the pageant’s future direction.

The Real Battle: Two Powerful Men, Two Conflicting Visions

At the heart of this year’s friction are two businessmen whose rival approaches have spilled into public view.

On one side is Raúl Rocha Cantú, a Mexican businessman who purchased 50% of the Miss Universe Organization in 2024 for $16 million. He champions the classic pageant system: selling broadcasting rights, securing sponsorships, and licensing national competitions like Miss Brazil or Miss Thailand. He views contestants primarily as ambassadors and humanitarian spokespersons.

Opposing him is Nawat Itsaragrisil, a Thai entrepreneur who recently bought the Miss Universe Thailand franchise for at least $2 million. He has a radically different approach — one shaped by social media, influencer culture, and livestream commerce. With over a million TikTok followers, Nawat broadcasts regularly, selling products live and encouraging contestants to do the same. In his model, beauty queens are not only representatives — they’re also digital sales figures.

Those conflicting philosophies collided in spectacular fashion during the now infamous sashing ceremony.

Miss Mexico Confronts Nawat — and the Room Erupts

What should have been a graceful, photo-ready event unraveled within minutes. Livestreaming as usual, Nawat publicly questioned whether Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, had adequately promoted sponsors and the host country. When he pressed her to defend herself, she resisted being lectured. He raised his voice, cut her off, and demanded security remove her.

Miss Mexico later said she had been insulted and silenced. Video recordings are unclear, though she alleges she was called a “dummy,” while Nawat insists he actually said she was “damaged.” Regardless of the exact wording, she left the room in tears — and the fallout was immediate.

Several contestants, including the reigning Miss Universe, walked out — declaring it a matter of respect and women’s rights.

The Organization Responds — and Nawat Apologizes

Raúl Rocha Cantú released a formal video statement reaffirming Miss Universe’s commitment to “dignity and respect for women.” He vowed to limit Nawat’s involvement and said the organization would not tolerate public humiliation of contestants.

Nawat, meanwhile, appeared online again — this time in emotional apology videos. He insisted he never intended harm and said he respected all delegates. Still, Miss Mexico did not appear in the apology footage, and many fans felt the damage had already been done.

The Drama Escalates: Judges Resign, Claiming Pre-Selected Finalists

As if the situation wasn’t volatile enough, breaking news from Thailand revealed that two of the eight Miss Universe judges had quit. One of them, Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch, alleged that an improvised panel had already selected finalists before official judging even began. The organization has not publicly confirmed the accusations, but the claims add another layer of controversy to an already combustible year.

Can Miss Universe Survive This?

For all the chaos, Adams believes the attention proves the pageant still commands remarkable cultural influence. It remains one of the few global events broadcast simultaneously across dozens of countries, giving both powerful nations and tiny islands equal space on a world stage. And while some Western audiences may be drifting away, millions across Asia and Latin America remain passionately engaged.

Whether Miss Universe can use this moment to evolve — or whether it gets swallowed by its own internal crises — will be seen when the final takes place. But one thing is clear: this year’s competition will be remembered long after the crown is placed.