The family of Fátima Bosch, Miss Universe Mexico, has become her greatest pillar of strength during one of the toughest moments of the competition. Despite being miles away, their unconditional support has given her the courage to keep going in her quest for the crown.
Recently, controversy surrounded Fátima in Thailand after Nawat Itsaragrisil, the local pageant director, publicly insulted her during a gathering. The incident triggered widespread outrage, leading to a wave of solidarity from Mexicans, fans worldwide, and especially her family. From afar, Fátima’s parents and brother expressed their pride and admiration for how she stood her ground with grace.
© Miss MexicoA Mother’s Pride and a Daughter’s Strength
Fátima’s mother, Vanessa Fernández, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message filled with emotion and pride. “Today my heart can’t contain itself. I saw my daughter defend herself—not with violence, but with dignity—against someone who tried to humiliate her. I saw in her the strength I once dreamed she’d have. That firm voice, that unshaken gaze, that courage born from knowing her worth,” she wrote.
Vanessa reflected on the bittersweet realization that her daughter no longer needs protection: “As a mother, you always want to protect your child from pain… but today I understood my daughter knows how to protect herself. And that fills me with pride. There’s nothing more powerful than a woman who respects herself, sets boundaries, and never lets anyone make her doubt her value.”
© @fatimaboschfdzShe continued, recalling the lessons and love they poured into Fátima’s upbringing: “She didn’t just defend herself—she defended her essence, her story, and everything we taught her with love. While my heart burned with anger watching what they did to her, I thought, ‘Every word, every piece of advice, every reminder of who she is was worth it.’”
Vanessa, whom Fátima calls her best friend, ended her post with a powerful message: “Today I don’t just applaud her—I admire her. Because my daughter refused to be humiliated, and that makes her great. She’s my daughter, and she’s an incredible woman. I adore you, Fátima de la Luz.”
A Brother’s Voice of Solidarity
Fátima’s brother, Bernardo Bosch, also spoke up proudly. On X (formerly Twitter), he highlighted his admiration for his sister’s composure and integrity amid the controversy. “In times when some still try to belittle women, seeing @bosch_fatima stand firm with serenity and respect is a reminder of what dignity and courage mean,” he wrote.
© @fatimaboschfdzFans praised his message, echoing their admiration for Fátima’s poise during her confrontation with Nawat. Without raising her voice or showing hostility, she demanded respect with confidence, a moment that resonated deeply with viewers around the world. “We’re very proud of you, Fati,” Bernardo added, revealing the affectionate nickname her family uses. “Your family is always with you.”
From Backlash to Public Apology
The incident quickly went viral, sparking outrage across social media. Mexican and Latin American fans flooded online platforms with messages of support for Fátima, criticizing Nawat’s behavior and defending her dignity.
© @sarinkp.officialFacing immense public pressure, Nawat later issued a tearful apology during a press conference. “I want to apologize to everyone. I had no idea the issue would grow this big,” he said, crying as he addressed the audience. Although he bowed to all 122 contestants at the event, he never addressed Fátima or the Mexican organization directly in any of his statements or livestreams.
The Miss Universe Organization Steps In
In response, Raúl Rocha Cantú, president and 50% owner of the Miss Universe brand, released a video statement announcing that a team of experts and representatives from the Miss Universe Organization was heading to Thailand to ensure the competition proceeds respectfully.
Following the backlash, Nawat deleted the Miss Universe Thailand voting posts and videos that had triggered the dispute. The conflict had begun when Fátima and about 20 other candidates declined to participate in a promotional voting campaign without approval from their local directors—a move that led to tension with the Thai organizer.
Director of Miss Mexico Breaks His Silence
Since the first images surfaced of Nawat Itsaragrisil speaking disrespectfully to Fátima Bosch, Miss Universe Mexico, support for the young contestant has poured in—not only across social media, but also from her family, friends, fellow contestants, and, of course, the director of her organization, George Figueroa.
The Mexican director publicly expressed his full support for Fátima and revealed that after the incident, he advised her to withdraw from the competition—something she refused to do. He also confirmed that there had been ongoing differences between their organization and the Thai businessman.
“What happened with Fátima reminded us of the importance of maintaining dignity and respect above all else. Mexico is a country that doesn’t stay silent, that doesn’t back down, and we’re especially grateful to the international organization, which contacted us immediately,” George said during an interview with the TV show De Primera Mano.
© George FigueroaRegarding the conflicts Fátima mentioned when she confronted Nawat, George explained: “It’s really an issue with Miss Universe Thailand, with its leadership—specifically Mr. Nawat. There are both cultural and professional differences.” Calmly and with a steady tone, he added, “I believe the guiding principle should always be respect, and he clearly doesn’t have it. He doesn’t know what respect means, and that’s exactly what Fátima Bosch’s stance has highlighted. We don’t share the same values, and that’s where the differences began. But feeling supported by the main organization, Miss Universe, is what matters most to us.”
George also confirmed that he had left the hotel where he and Fátima were staying, though he didn’t give details about why. “I’m in Thailand—I was at the hotel—but we had differences directly with the director (Nawat) long before this happened, and I believe what’s happening to the Mexican contestant, and to other Latinas, is a form of retaliation,” he said. He added that other directors had also noticed Nawat’s behavior: “My colleagues, directors from other countries, have felt the same way.”
© rrssHe concluded with a message about unity and respect: “There will always be cultural and ideological differences, but we believe in mutual respect, in open dialogue—that’s the first step toward building a more peaceful world.” Steadfast in his values, George condemned such actions—not only against Fátima, but against women everywhere.
