MANILA, Philippines – With just a few weeks left earlier than the Miss Universe 2025 grand coronation evening, all eyes are on Bangkok, Thailand, the place the 74th version of the world’s most prestigious magnificence competitors will happen on November 21.
However as the thrill surrounding the pageant continues to rise, so do the controversies which have include it — from the seizing of promotional supplies to candidates strolling out — stirring discussions and drawing blended reactions from viewers.
Adjustments in management
When the Miss Universe Group (MUO) was purchased by the JKN World Group in October 2022, the corporate’s earlier CEO and Miss Universe Thailand franchise proprietor, Anne Jakrajutatip, additionally took on the mantle as head of the annual magnificence competitors, making her the primary transgender girl to accumulate the group in its 70-year historical past.
Within the following yr, nonetheless, the corporate filed for enterprise rehabilitation after it suffered vital debt issues and monetary challenges, inflicting unrest amongst many pageant followers. The MUO continued its operations underneath Anne’s management till earlier this yr, when she stepped down following a number of regulatory scrutiny in opposition to her over alleged falsified monetary statements by Thailand’s Securities and Change Fee.
After JKN World Group restructured its boards, half of the MUO’s stake was offered to Legacy Holding, headed by Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantu, who additionally owns the Miss Universe franchise in Mexico. In the meantime, Miss Universe Thailand’s franchise rights have been acquired by Thai entrepreneur and Miss Grand Worldwide (MGI) founder Nawat Itsaragrisil.
With the pageant beginning anew, each Raul and Nawat introduced that they might work intently collectively as the previous was formally appointed as government director of the Miss Universe Group and licensed to arrange the competitors underneath the MUO in his residence nation.
However because the competitors nears, a number of quips have been thrown by Nawat by way of his stay movies on social media, together with feedback on the shortage of social media promotions of the candidates on the MUO’s official pages.
“They don’t know tips on how to run a pageant. I already informed them! In the event that they gave me the passwords, I’d assist put up. However they’re so protecting of every part and doing nothing. So, simply allow them to be. Every thing that needs to be requested is the issue, that every part needs to be requested of Mr. Raul?” he expressed.
Unlawful promotion of a sponsor in Thailand
Among the many first controversies of the pageant was when Nawat requested authorities to grab Miss Universe promotional supplies containing the title of an internet playing platform.
The gaming platform is the Philippine-based PlayTime PH, a Pagcor-licensed leisure platform billed as a significant sponsor and official accomplice for the 74th Miss Universe pageant underneath the MUO.
Nawat famous that he doesn’t need the pageant to be related to the model because the commercial of playing actions and the presence of on line casino sponsorship are unlawful underneath Thailand’s native legal guidelines.
In a public assertion, Miss Grand Worldwide — because the official host of the 74th Miss Universe — clarified that their firm had no involvement within the actions selling the gaming model and that the actions have been solely carried out by the MUO.
PlayTime PH earlier introduced that its collaboration with the MUO is a part of its growth efforts towards worldwide leisure partnerships. As an official journey accomplice, it plans to cowl the candidates and supply a complete platform to know them extra and listen to their tales.
The web leisure platform has but to supply an announcement on the current incidents involving their model at Miss Universe.
Unauthorized occasion
One other subject that confused many followers was the occasion titled “High 10 Particular Dinner & Speak Present with Queen Victoria and Mr. Nawat,” organized by the Miss Universe Thailand Group underneath Nawat.
It was deliberate as a promotional aspect occasion for the pageant, the place the highest delegates in an internet voting system by way of social media posts could be chosen to take part. Many Filipinos engaged within the on-line voting, pushing the Philippines’ wager Ahtisa Manalo among the many prime scorers.
After a number of days, nonetheless, the MUO introduced that the occasion was unauthorized, stating that “any promotional supplies, contests, or voting initiatives at the moment circulating on-line underneath the Miss Universe title, together with these related to the occasion, are unauthorized and deceptive.”
Following the MUO’s assertion, Miss Universe Thailand introduced the cancellation of the occasion, citing that their sponsors had “expressed discomfort and strain” that led them to droop help.
They apologized to supporters who participated within the occasion and warranted them that they continue to be dedicated to offering one of the best take care of the pageant individuals.
An sudden walkout
The newest incident — and maybe what finally shook followers world wide — occurred on November 4, when a number of candidates, together with reigning titleholder Victoria Theilvig, walked out.
The incident occurred in the course of the pageant’s sashing ceremony and orientation, the place Nawat publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch for not taking part in a sponsor shoot for the host nation.
Bosch reportedly defined her aspect, however it solely infuriated Nawat, inflicting him to lash out and accuse her of listening solely to her nationwide director in Mexico — resurfacing the already heated energy battle between the 2 heads.
“Should you observe the orders out of your nationwide director, you’re a dumbhead,” he stated.
Mexico’s delegate finally walked out of the room and was quickly adopted by Victoria. A number of candidates additionally stood up and ready to go away, with Nawat trying to discourage them, saying the occasion would proceed even when they walked out.
“If anybody desires to proceed the competition, sit down. Should you step out, the remainder of the ladies proceed,” he insisted.
Outdoors the corridor, Bosch expressed her disappointment with how Nawat handled her, notably the foul phrases she obtained due to his points together with her nationwide director. She emphasised that she hopes this serves as an eye-opener that ladies mustn’t let their dignity be trampled for the sake of reaching their desires.
“And I believe the world must see this, as a result of we’re empowered girls, and it is a platform for our voice, and nobody can shut our voice. And nobody will do this to me,” she voiced out.
Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Theilvig additionally shared her sentiments, siding with Bosch and explaining that she can’t tolerate such disrespect.
“We’ve respect for everybody however this isn’t how issues needs to be dealt with. To trash one other lady is past disrespectful,” she stated.
In response, Miss Universe Group president Raul Rocha made a public speech addressing the walkout. He condemned Nawat’s actions towards the delegate, saying he “won’t permit the values of respect and dignity towards girls to be violated.”
“He humiliated, insulted, and confirmed an absence of respect, along with the intense abuse of getting referred to as safety to intimidate a defenseless girl, making an attempt to silence and exclude her,” he added.
Raul stated that each one scheduled actions and occasions will proceed as deliberate, however Nawat might be restricted — and even eliminated totally — as they reaffirm their objective of delivering a celebration that displays the values of empowerment that outline the Miss Universe legacy.
“I’ve restricted Nawat’s participation within the occasions which might be a part of the 74th Miss Universe competitors, limiting it as a lot as doable or eliminating it totally,” he introduced.
Regardless of the turmoil, the MUO introduced that it’ll proceed its partnership with MGI for the competitors.
As for Nawat, he took to social media to apologize to everybody who was damage or affected by his actions. He additionally used the welcome ceremony for the delegates to apologize as soon as once more.
He defined that he has been underneath fixed strain, acknowledged the incident, and accepted the restrictions sanctioned by the group as they transfer ahead.
“I’m a human. I’m underneath numerous strain. Generally, I can’t management… By the way in which, I don’t intend to hurt anybody as a result of I respect all of you,” he stated as he bowed to the individuals.
That is the fourth time that the Miss Universe pageant might be held in Thailand — the primary was in 1992, when Namibia’s Michelle McLean was topped, adopted by 2005, when Natalie Glebova of Canada clinched the title.
Thailand additionally hosted in 2018, when Catriona Grey made historical past because the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015). – Rappler.com
