Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt Hits Back at Thai Organizer Who Called Mexican Contestant ‘Dumb’

Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt Hendrix has thrown her support behind Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch after Bosch was given a humiliating dressing-down by Miss Universe’s executive director Nawat Itsaragrisil. 

Hendrix, who was crowned Miss USA in 2023, praised Bosch’s ‘strength and bravery’ and said that she was ‘horrified’ by the incident in a lengthy statement shared to Instagram on Wednesday.

She also directly addressed Nawat and slammed him for ‘creating a “her word versus mine,” environment’ in pageantry.

In the shocking moment that has gone viral on social media, Nawat demanded that security escort Bosch out of a ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, after she accused him of not ‘respecting [her] as a woman’. 

As a show of solidarity with the 25-year-old beauty queen, dozens of other contestants then stormed out of the room with her in a mass walkout, including Danish model Victoria Kjær Theilvig, crowned Miss Universe 2024.

‘As a country you have all my respect, I truly love Thailand – but what your director did is not respectful, he called me dumb,’ Bosch told the press after the incident.

The clash went viral online, with hundreds of fans and former contestants swarming to her defense and praising her for standing up to the official.

Hendrix has emerged as one of Bosch’s biggest supporters, posting a statement about the situation to Instagram.

‘I stand in full solidarity with Fátima Bosch, Viktoria Kjær Theilvig, and all of the incredible women who walked out yesterday in protest of the unacceptable treatment that occurred at the Miss Universe 2025 Orientation in Thailand,’ she wrote to her 110,000 followers. 

‘When I woke up yesterday morning and saw the video circulating across the internet showing what happened, I was shocked, disgusted, disappointed, and genuinely horrified,’ she continued.

‘As someone who served as Miss USA 2023 and later made the decision to step away from my title, I understand what it feels like when your voice is dismissed and your dignity is demeaned.’

She added, ‘When I first began competing in pageants in 2017, Miss USA and Miss Universe were symbols of empowerment-platforms that could transform a woman’s life in extraordinary ways. 

‘What I witnessed yesterday is the complete opposite of that mission, and it does not align with who I am or what I stand for, and I believe that it is also not aligned with the Miss Universe Organization or the people in actual positions of leadership.’

Hendrix called the entire ordeal ‘profoundly wrong’ before speaking directly to Nawat, who has since apologized, and his defenders.

‘What occurred yesterday when Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berated and called Miss Universe Mexico, Fátima Bosch, “dumb,” attempted to intimidate contestants with threats of security and exclusion from the pageant if they left the room, and forced a group of young women to choose: stay and be humiliated, or walk out and be punished—is profoundly wrong,’ she wrote.

‘To Nawat (and to anyone else who thinks this kind of behavior is acceptable): Don’t be sorry simply because you got caught. When Rachel Gupta resigned earlier this year alleging similar abuse and you responded by calling her a liar and creating a “her word versus mine,” environment, you set the stage for this. Now the world witnessed how you treat contestants in front of hundreds.’

She continued, ‘One can only imagine what you’ve said in private when you believed no one was watching and no one would hold you accountable.

Hendrix stressed that there is ‘no place for power without humility in a platform that claims to uplift women. There is no place for intimidation or ego tripping disguised as “leadership,” or for using titles and stages to instill fear and shame instead of empower. And there is absolutely no place for treating human beings especially those representing their nations with bravery and grace-with anything less than dignity, respect, and equity.’

Hendrix then went on to praise those who she deems the Miss Universe Organization’s ‘true leadership’ after they publicly denounced what happened to Bosch.

‘I also want to acknowledge the true leadership of the Miss Universe Organization-Raúl Rocha Cantú, Mario Búcaro, and Ronald Day-for immediately denouncing what occurred and reaffirming their commitment to respect, dignity, and the empowerment of women everywhere.

‘Thank you for taking a stand against this type of behavior.’

Hendrix then directed her lengthy statement to Bosch, who she applauded for her ‘strength’ and ‘bravery,’ as well as to the contestants, like Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig, who stood in solidarity with Bosch.

‘To Fátima, thank you. Your strength, your bravery, your unwavering stance-“Because I have a voice” —gave me chills and reminded me why I walked away from something that was hurting me.

‘The way you stood up for yourself and for the other women in that room, and also beyond, is historic. You are already wearing a crown of empowerment, and the world sees it,’ she wrote.

‘To Viktoria, and to every contestant who followed in solidarity: you all set an incredible standard.’

Hendrix added, ‘When you stood, you said something louder than words: We will not be silenced. We will not be humiliated. We will not be dehumanized. We will not be disrespected.’

She encouraged other women to follow in Bosch’s footsteps by also ‘standing up’ for themselves, which she described as ‘the most liberating act.’

‘And to every woman-whether you compete in pageants, navigate competitive careers, high-pressure educational settings, demanding industries, or simply live your day-to-day life: do not be afraid to use your voice,’ she wrote.

‘I spent years being a chronic people pleaser, afraid that standing up for myself would cost me opportunities or make people upset with me.

‘But walking away from that fear, speaking up, reclaiming my dignity and my voice was the most liberating act I’ve ever taken.’

Hendrix then called out the ‘toxic cycles’ that allow people who ‘don’t know how to lead’ or ‘check their ego’ into positions of power.

‘They persist if we tolerate them. They persist if we pretend they or the problems they create and perpetuate don’t exist. But we exist. And we will be heard. The truth always comes out.

‘Using your voice when you feel most exposed takes immense strength. The right choice is rarely the easy one, but it is always the one worth making. Doing the right thing isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to be brave.’

Hendrix said she hopes ‘this moment be a defining one, not just in pageantry, but in all spaces where women are told to sit down, keep quiet, smile, be grateful—and maybe then you’ll get respect.’

Addressing Bosch directly for a second time, Hendrix expressed how ‘proud’ she is of the pageant queen and the women who ‘stand with her.’ 

‘I hope you feel deep in your heart how much your stance matters-not only to you, but to millions watching, inspired, finding courage because of all of you. Whatever happens in the competition’s final outcome, you all have already won: you wore strength, authenticity, and dignity, and you made it look effortless,’ she wrote.

To conclude her lengthy Instagram statement, Hendrix stressed the importance of ‘accountability’ as she offered her final messages to those in power and to women whose voices have gone unheard. 

‘In closing, to men and women in power: treat people like people. To women everywhere, the world needs your voice. Accountability and change begins with people like us saying: this is unacceptable and we will not allow this.

‘Thank you for showing up. Thank you for standing up. Let’s keep standing, together. With love, respect, and unwavering belief in us Noelia Voigt Hendrix,’ she concluded.

Hendrix’s powerful statement comes as Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú delivered a stern statement condemning Nawat, saying: ‘I will not allow the values of respect and dignity toward women to be violated.’  

In a livestream on TikTok, Nawat apologised to Bosch and said he was working closely with the Miss Universe team to make the situation ‘better’.

The incident occurred during the sashing ceremony at the Miss Universe delegates’ hotel, when Nawat, Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day.

When the visibly uncomfortable beauty queen responded to the vice president that she did not want to be publicly reprimanded before her pageant peers, he took to the microphone to interrupt, telling her: ‘I didn’t give you the opportunity to talk… I’m still talking, I’m still talking, listen!’ 

‘I have a voice,’ Bosch replied defiantly, in footage broadcast on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page.

In some clips, it appeared that the executive repeatedly accused the woman of being a ‘dumb act’.

The argument continued at the live-streamed ceremony, with the vice president saying: ‘My question is: Can you can work to promote Thailand or not – yes or no?’

Nawat then instructed security to escort Bosch out of the hotel.

‘I am not afraid to raise my voice, I am here stronger than ever, I have a purpose [and] things to say,’ the beauty queen told the press after the incident, explaining that it was unfair that the official blamed her for problems he had with the ‘organisation’.

‘We’re in the 21st century, I’m not a doll doing her makeup, hair and changing her clothes – I came here to [be] a voice for women and girls who fight for causes,’ she said.

‘[To] everyone at home, every woman, [it] doesn’t matter if you have a big dream, if you have a crown – if that takes away your dignity, you need to go.’ 

In a mass revolt in support of the beauty queen, several of her fellow contestants proceeded to stand up from their seats ready to storm out of the room.

A distressed Nawat could be heard shouting ‘Stop, stop!’ as the models began making their way out of the ceremony, demanding that they ‘Sit down’.

Theilvig, the first Dane to win the top title after she beat out Miss Nigeria at the 73rd edition of the pageant in Mexico City last year, was one of the pageant queens who stormed out of the ceremony alongside Miss Mexico.

Justifying her protest against pageant authority, 21-year-old Theilvig said: ‘This is about women’s rights.

‘To trash another girl – it’s beyond disrespectful and it’s nothing I’ve ever done. That’s why I’m taking my coat and I’m going.’

Following the incident, Theilvig uploaded a photo of her and Bosch on the Miss Universe stage alongside a message of support.

‘Forever proud of my @fatimaboschfdz,’ she wrote.

‘Standing up for yourself is not always easy, but it is one of the most important acts of self-respect and strength you can show.

‘It means knowing your worth, setting boundaries, and not allowing anyone or anything to undermine your voice or your value.

‘It’s about acknowledging that you have a right to be heard, to express your opinions, and to pursue your dreams, regardless of any obstacles that may come your way.

‘Enough is enough, and our voices will be heard loud and clear!’ 

Melissa Flores Godínez, who was crowned Miss Universe Mexico 2023 at the pageant in El Salvador, took to Instagram to express support for Bosch.

‘Our representative Fátima Bosch has raised her voice – she has done it for her, but also for all the women who have gone through unjust situations in any area, whether professional, family or personal.

‘I applaud your courage, and I share your message.’

Influencers described the walkout as ‘the most empowering act in Miss Universe history’.

Others, however, accused the Danish titleholder of overstepping protocol and disrupting the official event. 

Some Thai fans defended Nawat, suggesting his comments had been mistranslated or taken out of context.

The Miss Universe Organisation released a statement saying: ‘All scheduled events and activities will continue as planned, reaffirming our shared goal of delivering an exceptional celebration that reflects the values of diversity, empowerment, and inclusion that define the Miss Universe legacy.’ 

Later, President Rocha delivered a stronger message, criticising Nawat for his attempt to ‘silence and exclude’ Bosch.

‘Unfortunately, Nawat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host,’ he said.

‘It means to demonstrate to all delegates, of all countries, that he as a host has an obligation to serve them, assist them, and support them.

‘I would like to make clear my great indignation towards Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fátima Bosch, who he humiliated, insulted, and showed a lack of respect – in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman.’

The Miss Universe Organisation, now owned by Thailand-based JKN Global Group, has faced increasing criticism over transparency and contestant treatment.

The Bangkok walkout has reignited those concerns, with critics saying it highlights a ‘toxic culture’ of public shaming within the organisation.  

It comes after Miss Universe fans were left outraged after it was revealed that competition winner Lina Luaces had a shocking connection to the entertainment world.

The 22-year-old, who hails from Miami, Florida, was crowned as Miss Cuba 2025 in July.

However, many seemed to be skeptical of Luaces’ win, as it was revealed that she is the daughter of Univision host Lili Estefan. 

Her uncle, Emilio Estefan, is a music producer and businessman and her aunt is famous singer Gloria Estefan. 

Lili, Gloria and Emilio were born in Cuba, while Luaces grew up in Miami.  

Her mother is estimated to have a net worth of around $500 million. 

Many even took to the official Miss Universe Cuba Instagram page to air their grievances, with some even claiming that it was ‘rigged’ due to the ‘nepo baby’ win.