The Miss Universe Organization is facing a major dispute just weeks before its 75th anniversary pageant, with contestants from six Southeast Asian countries caught in the middle.
Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore could all be affected by a disagreement over who has the right to run their national Miss Universe competitions and send contestants to the international pageant.
The dispute involves JKN Universe LLC, which owns the Miss Universe brand, and Miss Universe Eastern, a regional group led by Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil.
In a statement this week, JKN Universe LLC said Miss Universe Eastern did not have the authority to grant or manage national Miss Universe franchises. It said it did not recognise agreements covering Thailand from 2025 to 2029, or Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore for 2026.
JKN said contestants chosen through those agreements would not be eligible to compete in the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November.
That has left the six countries facing uncertainty, with national contestants already chosen or being selected for this year’s competition.
The Latest Dispute
Miss Universe Eastern has rejected JKN’s statement.
The group says it has the right to manage Miss Universe competitions in 95 countries and territories in the eastern region. It also says Nawat was officially appointed as its CEO and is authorised to manage the franchises in those territories.
The Miss Universe Organization announced Nawat’s appointment in August.
Miss Universe Eastern said it did not approve JKN’s latest statement and does not consider it the official position of the entire organization.
JKN says the agreements issued through Nawat are not valid. Miss Universe Eastern says they are and that contestants from the six countries should still be allowed to compete in Puerto Rico.
For now, both sides are standing by their positions.
Miss Universe Laos
For Laos, the dispute could determine whether its 2026 contestant can compete in Puerto Rico.
In May, Nawat announced that his Miss Grand International business had secured the Miss Universe franchises for Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Thailand’s franchise was already under his management.
JKN now says those agreements are not valid, while Miss Universe Eastern says they remain in place.
Thailand is facing the same question. Tharina Botes was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2026 just weeks ago and is expected to represent the country in Puerto Rico.
Earlier Drama
The dispute comes less than a year after Nawat was at the centre of another Miss Universe controversy in Thailand.
During the 2025 pageant, Nawat publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch during a meeting over promotional duties. Bosch later walked out, with several other contestants appearing to follow her in support.
Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha publicly criticized Nawat, saying his behaviour went against the organisation’s standards of respect and dignity. Nawat later apologised to the contestants.
The 75th Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico in November, but the six Southeast Asian contestants now face uncertainty over whether their national franchises will be recognised.
