Walk-out at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand: Our compatriot Aurélie Alcindor shows solidarity with the contestants
An incident disrupted the preparations for Miss Universe 2025: several contestants currently gathered in Thailand staged a "walk-out" on November 3 in protest. Our compatriot, Aurélie Alcindor, joined this act of solidarity. This movement followed a controversial remark made by a high-ranking official from the Miss Universe organization directed at Miss Universe Mexico during an official ceremony.
The incident occurred during the sashing ceremony. Fátima Bosch, Miss Universe Mexico, was publicly reprimanded by Nawat Itsaragrisil, the vice president for Asia and Oceania within the organization.
The exchange, broadcast live, became tense when Itsaragrisil reportedly confronted Fátima Bosch about her absence from a sponsor photo shoot and called her "dumb" while she attempted to explain herself.
Clearly shocked, Miss Mexico left the room. In a show of solidarity and female empowerment, several other contestants, including our representative, immediately followed her out.
Victoria Kjær Theilvig, Miss Universe 2024, also walked out of the sashing ceremony in support of Miss Mexico and to protest against the behavior of director Nawat Itsaragrisil.
"Our solidarity among contestants was total: nearly all the delegates collectively left the room in protest, and I am one of those who made this decision. As a woman and a mother, I find this incident deeply unjust and unacceptable. I immediately identified with Miss Mexico's situation and realized that it was unthinkable for me to encourage such behavior. I didn’t hesitate for a second to act, and I absolutely do not regret taking this stand," Aurélie Alcindor stated. She also noted that things have since returned to normal and preparations for the Miss Universe 2025 grand finale scheduled for November 21 are ongoing.
However, the incident has sparked global outrage. Under fire, director Nawat Itsaragrisil later issued public apologies.
In response to this controversy, the president of the Miss Universe organization, Raúl Rocha Cantú, released a firm statement on Tuesday, asserting that he would not allow "the values of respect and dignity for women to be violated."
About Aurélie Alcindor
She has made Mauritius proud in the 200 and 400 meters. Today, the former Olympic sprinter Aurélie Alcindor is trading her spikes for heels as she pursues the Miss Universe title.
Aurélie Alcindor, crowned Miss Universe Mauritius on August 26, is far from a stranger. For years, she has embodied rigor, discipline, and perseverance on the athletics track. The professional sprinter has competed in numerous major championships – including the Indian Ocean Games, the Francophonie Games, and the Commonwealth Games – and had the honor of competing against the world elite at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.
Now, the high-level athlete has chosen to redirect her energy towards the beauty world, a new playground where she aims to leverage her discipline.
Hailing from Saint-Pierre, Aurélie Alcindor describes herself as ambitious, determined, and deeply religious. She actively uses her Olympic experience by working as a freelance sports coach, enabling young Mauritian talents to benefit from her expertise and valuable advice. Her life is also deeply rooted in her family: engaged to world champion and Olympic athlete Wallace Spearmon Jr., she is the mother of two children. Finally, this multifaceted woman nurtures her love for nature through hiking, as well as her passion for music and singing.