Miss Universe queen Alicia Machado’s ‘racist’ remarks versus Nawat get Asians’ ire

BANGKOK – Pageant fans were shocked when Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado recently insulted Thailand and mocked Asian features, as she criticised Thai mogul Nawat Itsaragrisil, following a confrontation with Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch ahead of the sashing ceremony.

Mr Nawat, who heads the Thai hosting committee for the staging of the 74th Miss Universe pageant, was

caught on video publicly chastising Bosch

, which then prompted her to walk out of the conference hall.

Other delegates from mostly countries in Latin America followed suit, as well as reigning Miss Universe Victoria Theilvig of Denmark. The confrontation stemmed from a sponsored shoot which Bosch supposedly did not take part in.

Following the incident, Machado, a Venezuelan-American actress-TV host, criticised Mr Nawat through a live-stream video on her social media page.

However, she also earned the ire of netizens after she apparently insulted Mr Nawat’s home country and even called him “that despicable Chinese”.

When a netizen in the comments section tried to correct Machado, she said all individuals with slanted eyes – no matter if they are Chinese, Thai or Korean – are Chinese to her.

Machado even made a slanted-eye gesture during her live stream.

She also questioned why this year’s Miss Universe pageant is held in Thailand, as she made derogatory remarks against the Asian country.

One of those who spoke up against Machado was Filipino publicist and publisher Josh Yugen, who owns several Miss Universe franchises across the globe. He reposted a clip from Machado’s live-stream video and condemned her statement.

“It’s shocking that in 2025, we still hear such ignorance,” he said via his Instagram Stories on Nov 5.

Speaking to defend Thailand, Mr Yugen stressed the country is one of the most welcoming, safe and sophisticated in the world.

“(Thailand) deserves respect, not mockery. Maybe Alicia Machado should actually visit Bangkok and see its first-class hotels, world-class transport, and warm-hearted people before talking,” he said.

“Her words are proof that racism is still alive, and we must continue fighting it – not with hate, but with education,” he added.

Mr Yugen also said he already unfollowed Machado on the platform, adding the hashtag “Stop Asian hate”.

Aside from Machado and Theilvig, other beauty queens who have condemned Mr Nawat’s actions were Miss Universe 2023 and 2020 Sheynnis Palacio of Nicaragua and Andrea Meza of Mexico, respectively, and Rachel Gupta of India who resigned as Miss Grand International 2024 following a spat with the Thai mogul.

After the incident involving Mr Nawat and Bosch, Miss Universe Organisation president Raul Rocha restricted the Thai host organiser’s pageant involvement. Mr Rocha also called him out for his supposed “constant desire to be the centre of attention”.

Mr Nawat eventually apologised for his outburst, and was emotional during a recent event. However, he insisted that he did nothing wrong, and that if he hurt anybody, including Bosch, he was only human to have done so. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK