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WATCH the moment Miss Universe boss is overcome with emotion, breaking down in tears as he apologises for his controversial remarks earlier this week.
In a video shared to social media, Nawat Itsaragrisil is seen weeping as he attempts to defend the comments that sparked outrage among contestants.
A man holding a box of tissues is stood behind him, presumably for the teary-eyed director.
“I am human. I didn’t want to do anything like that,” the Miss Universe Thailand director said.
Later on Wednesday, he apologised to a separate crowd of people as the various Miss Universe delegates stood behind him.
“I had not [intended] to harm anyone because I respect all of you.
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“I am so sorry it happened.
“First, I have to apologise to the delegates.
“If anyone was affected and not comfortable with what happened, I am so sorry,” he said.
This series of apologises comes after Itsaragrisil’s shocking confrontation with Mexico’s Miss Universe delegate, Fatima Bosch, during a pre-pageant event on Tuesday.
Itsaragrisil singled out Bosch in front a crowd of people before the annual sashing ceremony.
The event, which was live-streamed on the Miss Thailand Facebook page, featured the executive reprimanding Bosch for not participating in a sponsorship shoot earlier that day.
“Mexico, where are you?
“I heard you’re not going to support everything about Thailand. Is that true?”
This bitter exchange lasted about five minutes, culminating in Itsaragrisil calling Bosch a “dummy.”
“I still keep talking to everybody, why you still stand up to talk to me,” he questioned Bosch.
“Because I have a voice,” she retorted.
“You are not respecting me as a woman.”
The Thai businessman then ordered security to remove Bosch.
However, to his surprise, all the other Miss Universe contestants stood up to leave as well.
More than a dozen other participants walked out of the pre-pageant event in solidarity with Miss Mexico.
Fans and former contestants labelled the show of support as “the most empowering act in Miss Universe history.”
“Sit down,” Itsaragrisil demanded.
“If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down.”
Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú later condemned Itsaragrisil, announcing that someone else would oversee the remainder of events.
Cantú added that the executive “humiliated, insulted, and he showed a lack of respect, in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman, trying to silence and exclude her.”
Seeking forgiveness, Itsaragrisil took to Instagram to speak about what happened.
“I invested and tried my best to make this event fair to everyone but it’s hard to control because the daily events of being posted makes it harder for him to reach the miss,” he wrote.
“Sorry universe fans I can only do this because my patience has a limit.
“Sorry again if I make anyone uncomfortable watching.”
The walkout has reignited criticism of the Miss Universe Organisation over transparency and contestant treatment.
Critics say it underscores “a toxic culture of public shaming” within the pageant.
The controversy also follows backlash from fans earlier this year after it was revealed that Miss Universe Cuba 2025 winner Lina Luaces is the daughter of Univision host Lili Estefan.
Many accused the competition of being “rigged” due to what they called a “nepo baby” win.
