MANILA -- The Miss Universe 2025 delegates dazzled in their designer gowns during the pageant's welcoming ceremony on Wednesday in Thailand, with the Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo turning heads in a stunning white Mark Bumgarner piece.
Her dress, which features a sleek asymmetrical silhouette, was paired with a pearl necklace and earrings set from Jewelmer.
The delegates did their own introductions before Thai pageant entrepreneur Nawat Itsaragrisil joined them on stage.
Ahtisa Manalo heads to Bangkok for Miss Universe 2025 after warm send-off
In a speech before the contestants, Miss Universe staff, and national directors, Nawat expressed his gratitude to the Miss Universe Organization for trusting Thailand as this year’s host country.
“Miss Universe for this year, I’m very glad and honored to welcome our delegates so much beauty from around the world to Thailand,” he said. “I prepared this event for all of you to have a lot of activities: a five-star hotel, fine food, and a lot of fun.”
He shared that the delegates will soon embark on an exciting travel schedule.
“The day after tomorrow, we will fly down together to Phuket, an island of fun and food. And also, we will continue to Pattaya, one of the most famous beaches in Thailand,” Nawat announced, adding that the swimsuit competition will be held there.
The Thai host also addressed the recent controversy surrounding the orientation walkout that involved Miss Universe Mexico Fatima Bosch and the reigning queen Victoria Theilvig. Speaking candidly, he acknowledged the pressure he had been under and offered an apology.
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“I am a human. As everybody knows, these past few days, a lot of pressure… I have not intended to harm anyone because I respect all of you,” he said. “Sometimes, I cannot control. But I am so sorry it happened. I have to apologize to the delegate, if anyone is affected and [is] not comfortable [that] it happened. I am so sorry.“
He apologized also to the fans as he urged them to verify information from official channels, noting that some of his statements had been misquoted online.
“Please check everything in our website… because someone put very bad words on the post,” he said.
In closing, Nawat returned to a message of unity and excitement for the competition ahead.
“We are the same goal of [Miss] Universe. I would like to make our [Miss] Universe a big historic event,” he said as he shared that there will be more than 14,000 seats for fans at the official venue “to come and enjoy together.”
The host promised an unforgettable finale.
“From the bottom of my heart, I try and I promise I will do the biggest event for [Miss] Universe — to make a history event and for the fans to enjoy very much. Once again, thank you so much for making me the host country of Miss Universe.”
Nawat's participation in the Miss Universe pageant has been restricted in the wake of the incident.
"Nawat, you need to stop. Every woman in the world should be respected," Miss Universe Organization president Raul Rocha said Wednesday.
READ: Miss Universe president restricts Nawat Itsaragrisil's participation in pageant