Nawat Itsaragrisil apologizes on stage during the Miss Universe 2025 welcoming ceremony in Thailand. GrandTV/YouTube
Nawat Itsaragrisil has issued an apology after his heated exchange with a Miss Universe candidate spurred controversy online and prompted the organization to restrict his participation in this year's pageant.
The entrepreneur leads the organizers of the 74th edition of the competition as national director of Miss Universe Thailand (MUT) and the founder of another pageant, Miss Grand International (MGI).
He also has a leadership role in the main Miss Universe Organization as vice president for Asiana.
During the welcoming ceremony for the Miss Universe 2025 candidates on Wednesday, November 5, Itsaragrisil graced the stage to deliver a speech. He began by saying he and his team worked hard for months to deliver a "big, historical" Miss Universe event, which will culminate with the coronation night on November 21.
The Thai pageant executive then took the opportunity to address the recent incident as he apologized to this year's delegates, saying he has been feeling "a lot of pressure" lately.
"I did not intend to harm anyone because I respect all of you. But I have to say, I am so sorry this happened," he said. "I have to apologize to the delegates if anyone felt uncomfortable... I am very sorry."
Nawat Itsaragrisil faces the candidates and bows to them on stage after his apology. GrandTV/YouTube
Itsaragrisil also extended an apology to pageant fans around the world, but he was quick to remind them to get the "true message" right, citing misleading posts online.
"Because I saw so many messages, like some word, I didn't say that," he clarified. "Someone put a really bad word."
The MGI founder ended his speech by assuring the public that his team has the "same goal" as MUO, and promised that everyone will enjoy what they have prepared for them.
"Thank you so much for making Thailand the host country for Miss Universe again," he said.
According to Itsaragrisil, he will be joining the candidates in various events in Phuket and Pattaya in the coming days. It remains unclear if MUO will follow through on its plans to limit his role in the 74th Miss Universe pageant after his apology.