Miss Universe responds to the controversy surrounding her victory

Newly crowned Miss Universe Fatima Bosch this week addressed the rumor that she was chosen to win the competition because she confronted a pageant official who called her “dumb.”

During the first day of the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand last month, Nawat Itsaragrisil, a pageant executive and Thai media personality, argued with Bosch over a sponsorship event, calling her “silly.” Itsaragrisil attempted to call security on Bosch, but instead, Bosch walked out in protest and several other Miss Universe contestants followed her in support.

The moment went viral and after Bosch, who represented Mexico, was crowned Miss Universe on November 21, some accused the pageant of favoring her because of the incident.

“I think I made history, so why not?” Bosch told ABC News in an interview broadcast Tuesday about whether she was rewarded for speaking out. “But of course not, I make the same effort as the entire competition.” [contestants] do, and this is our job.”

Bosch said Itsaragrisil wanted to “humiliate” her and that she was “afraid” to confront him at that moment.

“I couldn’t stay silent because in all cases your dignity is more important than any award or any dream you have,” she said.

Arnun Chonmahatrakool/Thai News Pix/LightRocket via Getty Images

Adding to the controversy surrounding the pageant, Miss Universe judge Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French composer, resigned from the judging panel, writing on Instagram last month that people not on the panel had held a “secret vote” to shortlist the top 30 Miss Universe contestants.

“I could not appear before the public and the television cameras, trying to legitimize a vote in which I never participated,” Harfouch wrote. “Some of the countries eliminated through this process could be at war, discriminated against or geopolitically sensitive. Viewers would assume that the jury made these decisions and I cannot take responsibility for a process in which I was not involved. To pretend otherwise would be dishonest.”

The Miss Universe pageant denied any “secret ballot,” saying in a statement that the vote Harfouch was referring to was for an “independent social impact initiative.” Bosch also dismissed her complaint, suggesting to ABC News that the judge was going after Instagram followers.

Meanwhile, Bosch’s father, an oil executive, was reported to have done business with scandal-ridden pageant co-owner Raúl Rocha, and some critics speculated that Bosch had been chosen to win Miss Universe for that reason.

“My father has nothing to do with the organization,” Bosch told ABC News. “And it’s crazy. How are you going to buy a crown? Maybe at Walmart you can buy a crown, yes. But not at Miss Universe, that’s for sure.”

Bosch said he has no plans to relinquish his title amid the controversy.

“I’m not here for fame, or to be a model, or to look for a husband,” Bosch told ABC News. “I am here because God put a purpose in my heart. I have a mission, and I will do it every year, serve others, help.”