Miss Universe Belize's director withdraws from Miss Universe Organization


Romeo Escobar, the national director of Miss Universe Belize for the past five years, announced his withdrawal from the Miss Universe Organization in an official statement released on Thursday, February 16.

He mentioned MUO's recent "changes and implementations on its business model including franchise bidding under JKN Global Group's ownership" as the reason for his decision to give up his national franchise.

The three-time Emmy Award winner and "Survivor 42" runner-up added, "This does not align with the way I conduct business and I believe it is not a sustainable way to keep a partnership long-term with its directors."

He also confessed to struggling to get the financial backing needed to run the national pageant organization because, according to his statement, "no one cared or wanted to be associated with pageants in Belize at all."

His message for the next national director: "I hope the next person who takes on the Miss Universe franchise in Belize next can continue the hard work and legacy I and my team have worked so hard to build. I am here if you need my guidance and support."

The last representative he sent to the pageant was Miss Universe Belize 2022 Ashley Lightburn who competed in the 71st Miss Universe edition in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Read his entire statements below:

Photos: Miss Universe Belize

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Universe 2023: Meet the contestants

Image
A total of 85 beauties from around the world will compete in the highly anticipated 72nd Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador this November. This year's competition will mark the debut of Pakistan and the returns of 10 countries consisting of Denmark, Egypt, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Mongolia, Norway, and Zimbabwe. For the first time in its history, both the Netherlands and Portugal will be represented by transgender women following Spain's Angela Ponce who participated in 2018. The current Miss Universe Colombia and Guatemala will be the first married women and mothers to compete since the Miss Universe Organization changed its rules to become more inclusive. Miss Universe 2023 final will be streamed on The Roku Channel while Telemundo will broadcast the show within the United States as well as local channels around the world. The reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel of the United States of America will crown her successor at the culmination of this
Read more

Mister Global 2023 is Jason Dylan Bretfelean from India

Image
Jason Dylan Bretfelean was proclaimed Mister Global 2023 during the 9th Mister Global edition held on Sunday, November 26 in Mahasarakham, Thailand. The 19-year-old business administration student, athlete, and model bested over 30 other competitors to win the international title. He became the first-ever Mister Global winner from India. Hong Kong's Oliver Cheung was named first runner-up while the contestants from Chile, Álvaro Flores Carvajal, Taiwan, Kevin Davalos Tai, and Vietnam, Le Huu Dat were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The Top 10 were Ruddy Alexander Taveras of the Dominican Republic, Bruno Barbieri of Ecuador, Jeung Yoon Lim of Korea, José Carlos Novelo of Mexico, and Jonathan Albert Lambert of South Africa. Rounding out the Top 15 were Myanmar, Ye Thway Thiha, Nigeria, Shuaib Oluwaseyifunmi Araga, Panama, Raúl Pinto, Philippines, John Ernest Tanting, and Switzerland, Marcel Ignacio Riera. The new Mister Global succeeds last year's winner 
Read more

8th Mister Global: Meet the 39 contestants

Image
The 8th Mister Global edition is underway in Chiang Mai, Thailand and 39 of the world's most handsome and inspiring gentlemen are competing for the title. Following their arrival to the host city earlier this month, the contestants have been busy with photo shooting, filming, touring, and preparing for the big event. From their pre-pageant activities, they had the opportunity to experience the Chiang Mai flower festival, try local cuisine, visit a temple, plant rice, feed elephants, and learn Thai boxing called Muay Thai. In addition to the unique cultural experiences, the Mister Global contestants also received the generosity and hospitality of the local people. Both the preliminary (February 9) and final competition (February 11) will be held at the Royal Park Rajapruek, a beautiful botanical garden situated in the Mae Hia sub-district. Who will be Mister Global 2022? Meet the 39 contestants: Albania - Boris Gurtner Belgium - Matthias Coenjaarts Brazil - William Gama Cambodia
Read more

Miss Universe Nepal 2023 is Jane Dipika Garrett

Image
Jane Dipika Garrett bested over 20 other competitors to win Miss Universe Nepal 2023 on Saturday, September 9 at the Godavari Sunrise Convention Center. The 22-year-old nurse and business developer from Kathmandu made history as she became the first-ever plus-size beauty to win the national title. She is advocating for mental health, body positivity, and hormonal health for women in Nepal. "As a woman who is curvy and who does not meet certain beauty standards, I'm here to represent women who are curvy, who struggle with weight gain, who struggle with hormonal issues — I believe that there is not only one type of beauty standard but every single woman is beautiful just as she is," said the new Miss Universe Nepal. Garima Ghimire was named first runner-up while Buddhisara Sunar, Shitashma Pokharel, and Abhilasha Lamsal were announced as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Rounding out the Top 10 semifinalists were Alista Subedi, Sanskriti Chhetri Karki,
Read more

Miss America 2024: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss America 2024 will be the 96th edition of the Miss America pageant — the nation's leading provider of scholarships for young women. While the official date and venue of the national final have not yet been announced, all 51 state representatives have already been crowned. Apart from raising the age limits to between 18 and 28, the 2024 competition under the new CEO Robin Ross-Fleming will also see other changes. For the first time since scrapping the swimsuit competition in 2018, there will be a segment that focuses on health and fitness. The CEO clarified, the contestants will not be judged based on their physical appearance. "There is NO SCORE given on appearance, the health & fitness segment is to bring awareness to women's health issues and give a platform to women to inspire and inform all women on best health practices." Those without a performing arts background will have the option of presenting a speech as their talent. Who will succeed Miss America 2
Read more

Mrs. American 2023 is Hannah Neeleman of South Dakota

Image
Mrs. South Dakota American Hannah Neeleman was crowned Mrs. American 2023 in a glittering competition held on Friday, August 25 at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Nevada. The 33-year-old rancher and entrepreneur bested over 40 other competitors to win the national title. She succeeds last year's titleholder Krisdee Clark of South Carolina and is now expected to compete next in the Mrs. World 2023 pageant. Mandy Fave of Minnesota and Jayme Perryman of Idaho were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Sharelle Mendenhall of Nevada, Katheryn Clatterbaugh of North Carolina, and AnnMarie Gutierrez of Texas rounded out the Top 6 finalists. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin were the rest of the Top 15 semifinalists. The new Mrs. American is a Juilliard School graduate ballerina and a former Miss New York City. She is a mother of seven and owns Ballerina Farm with her husband in the mountain valley of Kamas,
Read more

FAVORITES: Miss Earth 2023 Top 20 pre-arrival favorites

Image
Around 90 eco-warriors from around the world are now heading to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for the much-awaited 23rd Miss Earth (Miss Earth 2023) pageant. The grand finals and coronation show will take place on December 22 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC). Who will succeed Mina Sue Choi of South Korea for the coveted crown? Before the competition officially begins, meet our Top 20 pre-arrival favorites: TOP 20 (in alphabetical order) Albania - Drita Ziri Australia - Helen Lātūkefu Brazil - Morgana Carlos Cuba - Aleida Josefa Perez Denmark - Silvia Topholm India - Priyan Sain Indonesia - Cindy Inanto Malaysia - Nadira Isaac Namibia - Martha Kautanevali Nepal - Rainyusha Majgaiya Netherlands - Noa Claus Paraguay - Gretha Matiauda Philippines - Yllana Aduana Puerto Rico - Victoria Arocho Russia - Daria Lukonkina South Africa - Belindé Schreuder Thailand - Cora Bliault USA - Danielle Mullins Venezuela - Jhosskaren Carrizo Vietnam - Do thi Lan Anh Special mentions: Belg
Read more

Miss Universe Portugal 2023 is Marina Machete

Image
Miss Palmela, Marina Machete was crowned Miss Universe Portugal 2023 on Thursday, October 5 in Borba, District of Évora. The 28-year-old beauty bested 16 other finalists to win the glittering competition. Aside from the crown, she also bagged the Miss Beautifully Confident award. Her victory was historic as she became the first-ever transgender woman to become Miss Universe Portugal. Diana Lopes of Guimarães and Elisabete Abreu of Câmara de Lobos were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. Rounding out the Top 8 were the representatives of Lisboa, Andresa Neves, Odivelas, Sabrina Gladio, Sesimbra, Sandra Gonçalves, Setúbal, Bárbara Gavaia, and Sintra, Tatiana Pais. The new Miss Universe Portugal succeeds last year's titleholder Telma Madeira who achieved a Top 16 placement at the 71st Miss Universe in New Orleans earlier this year. "Proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the Miss Universe Portugal title," she wrote online prior to the nation
Read more

Miss CosmoWorld 2023 is Shelby Howell of the United States

Image
Shelby Ann Howell of the United States of America was crowned Miss CosmoWorld 2023 in a glittering competition held on Wednesday, November 29 at The St. Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 23-year-old model and real estate agent bested more than 20 other competitors to win the international pageant. She succeeded last year's winner from the Philippines, Meiji Aculana Cruz . Elda Louise Aznar of the Philippines and Maryna Karpeka of Ukraine were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The representatives from Canada, Gianna Llanes, and Lithuania, Sandra Boris rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Apart from winning the beauty title, the new Miss CosmoWorld also bagged the Miss Photogenic award. She will take home a cash prize of $100,000. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss CosmoWorld Beauty Pageant (@misscosmoworld) Photos: Miss CosmoWorld / Instagram
Read more

Miss Earth 2023 schedule of events and activities

Image
Miss Earth 2023, the 23rd Miss Earth pageant, is about to kick off in Vietnam. This year's event will be the second edition held in the country. Around 90 beauties from around the planet are expected to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City this week for the competition. Here is the schedule of events released by the Miss Earth organization: November 28 - Arrival of Delegates in Ho Chi Minh City November 29 - Arrivals, Social Media Interview November 30  - Shoot at Wink Hotels December 1 - Fittings December 2 - Rehearsal for the HCMC Tourism Week Opening December 3 - "Xin Chao Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam" Event December 4 - Opening Ceremony of the HCMC Tourism Week December 5-6  - Photoshoot December 7  - EcoTourism Advocacy Activities December 9  - University Tour December 10  - Closing Ceremony of the HCMC Tourism Week December 11  - Vietnamese Cooking Class December 12  - Talent Competition December 13-14  - Rehearsals for the Preliminary Competition December 15 - Eco Activ
Read more