Miss Universe Belize Joins Walkout at Sashing Ceremony

The Miss Universe live sashing ceremony in Thailand ended in walkouts. Among those who walked out was Miss Universe Belize, Isabella Zabaneh.

In a statement, the Miss Universe Belize Foundation Ltd. said, “The Miss Universe Belize team has been in constant communication with our queen to ensure her safety and well-being.” MUB’s National Director, Destinee Arnold, said in the statement that her team is “firmly behind Queen Isabella” and assured that despite the latest Miss Universe scandal, Isabella “remains focused and committed to representing Belize.”

The walkout was being livestreamed during the Miss Universe sashing ceremony in Bangkok, which quickly turned into a scene of tension after Miss Universe Mexico 2025, Fátima Bosch, was publicly confronted by Thai executive Nawat Itsaragrisil.

Nawat serves as Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) and heads the local organising committee.

The livestreamed footage showed Nawat asking Bosch to stand before questioning her for skipping a sponsor shoot and for not posting enough about Thailand as the host country. Bosch appeared visibly uncomfortable and eventually walked out.

Several contestants followed in solidarity, and Nawat was heard shouting, “Stop, stop! Security!” He was also heard warning the contestants standing up in confusion to “sit down” if they wanted to continue in the competition.

Bosch spoke out and called what Nawat had done “disrespectful”. She said, “I think that the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women. This platform is meant for our voice, and no one can shut our voice, and no one will do that to me.”

The reigning Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, also walked out, later posting on her Instagram that “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.”

Theilvig added, “Enough is enough, and our voices will be heard loud and clear.”

The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) has since released a statement reaffirming its “commitment to working closely with the host community, the Miss Grand International Organization (MGI), and all local partners.”

The MUO added in its statement that “all scheduled events and activities will continue as planned, in full cooperation with the host country.”

The 74th Miss Universe pageant coronation will happen on November 21.