In a powerful display of solidarity, the reigning Miss Universe made headlines by leading a walkout at a major pageant event, standing firmly beside Miss Mexico amidst a controversy. This unfolded against the backdrop of a public admonishment that drew sharp attention to the treatment of contestants within the pageant world.

Victoria Theilvig, who recently made history as the first Danish winner of the prestigious title, decided to leave the sashing ceremony held at the delegates’ hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. Her departure came in response to a heated reprimand directed at Melissa Flores Bosch by a senior pageant official, witnessed by an assembly of contestants from around the globe.

Theilvig, at just 21 years old, took a bold stand, framing her actions as a fight for women’s rights. “This is about women’s rights,” she asserted. “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.”

The tension-filled incident was captured during a live-streamed ceremony, where Nawat Itsaragrisil, who holds the influential position of Vice President for Asia and Oceania in the Miss Universe Organization, confronted Bosch. The confrontation centered around Bosch’s failure to attend a scheduled sponsor shoot earlier that day, which led to the public rebuke and subsequent fallout.

The unprecedented incident took place during a live-streamed ceremony of the event, where Nawat Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day.

In footage broadcast on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, Nawat asked Bosch to stand and ‘explain herself’ in front of the rolling cameras, before instructing security personnel to escort her out of the hotel after she insisted on ‘using my voice’.

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’.

Victoria Theilvig walked out of the sashing ceremony at the Miss Universe delegates’ hotel in Bangkok, Thailand , after the senior official berated Melissa Flores Bosch in front of dozens of other beauty queens

Fans and former contestants hailed Theilvig’s walkout as an act of integrity and courage

Melissa Flores Bosch was confronted about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day

When the visibly uncomfortable Bosch responded to the president that she did not want to be publicly reprimanded before her pageant peers, he took to the microphone to interrupt, telling her: ‘I’m still talking, I’m still talking, listen!’

Theilvig, who 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 and was later seen in footage announcing she would not remain in the venue.

‘We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled,’ she said. 

The clip was shared to social media and quickly gained traction online, as well as praise from other women and delegates. 

Fans and former contestants hailed Theilvig’s walkout as an act of integrity and courage, while influencers described the moment as ‘the most empowering act in Miss Universe history.’

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

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

Bosch left the room as several other contestants also got to their feet seemingly ready to stage a walkout

Theilvig is one of the pageant queens who storms out of the ceremony and is later seen in footage announcing she would not remain in the venue

Fans and former contestants hailed Theilvig’s walkout as an act of integrity and courage

The incident took place during a live-streamed ceremony of the event, where Nawat Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted Melissa Flores Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day

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

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.’

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!’ 

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

Theilvig beat out Miss Nigeria at the 73rd edition of the pageant in Mexico City last year

The 21-year-old is an animal protection advocate and diamond business professional

A visibly uncomfortable Bosch told the president that she did not want to be publicly reprimanded before her pageant peers

In a mass revolt in support of Bosch, several of the contestants could be seen standing up from their seats ready to storm out of the room

A distressed Nawat could be heard shouting ‘Stop, stop’ as the beauty queens began making their way out of the room

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.