PAGEANT Circle

Former Miss USA Crystle Stewart will no longer be the national director for the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA competitions. To recall, the Miss Universe Organization gave her a license to run the pageants in 2020 but a suspension occurred in October of last year following rigged allegations that were thrown at the results of Miss USA 2022. Here's an official press release shared by MUO today: The Miss Universe Organization today announces a new chapter for the MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA brand and license. MUO, Miss Brand, and former USA national director Crystle Stewart have chosen to end their partnership. A spokesperson for the organization said:  The Miss Universe Organization is grateful for the longstanding relationship with Crystle Stewart over the years. As a stakeholder in the Miss USA brand, Crystle and her team enhanced prize packages, increased visibility of titleholders, secured a remarkable location for the Miss USA pageant, and strengthened brand partnerships. Crystle ha

Following the Miss Universe Beverage (M*U Beverage and M*U health drinks), the Miss Universe Skincare was officially launched on Friday, July 21 at Capella Bangkok in Thailand. Reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel attended the event with her fellow 71st Miss Universe sisters Ndavi Noderi of South Africa, Monique Riley of Australia, Divita Rai of India, Evlin Khalifa of Bahrain, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir of Iceland, and Anna Sueangam-iam of Thailand. Also present were the hearts and brains of the skincare line Miss Universe Organization owner Anne Jakrajutatip and her business partners — CEO and founder of O Skin Med Spa Olivia Quido-Co and President of Legacy Holding Raul Rocha Cantu. With carefully selected natural ingredients from across the seven continents, Miss Universe Skincare products were created to meet a wide range of skincare needs of consumers around the world. They will be available on its official website by November. As the official skincare brand of the Miss Un

The Miss Universe Organization has officially launched the M*U Beverage, a new business group under the M*U brand, to bring top-quality drinks to people around the world. Hosted at the True Icon Hall, Iconsiam in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday (July 17), the star-studded event was attended by reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel and her fellow competitors during the 71st Miss Universe pageant. Present were Ndavi Noderi of South Africa, Monique Riley of Australia, Divita Rai of India, Evlin Khalifa of Bahrain, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir of Iceland, and Anna Sueangam-iam of Thailand. Miss Universe Thailand 2023 contestants, former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova of Canada, and of course, the president of MUO, Anne Jakrajutatip, were also in attendance. The first product introduced was M*U NØR, a natural alkaline mineral water sourced from Iceland. According to the organization, it is the first Thai brand of alkaline water that comes in a glass bottle. M*U, a healthy beverage made from n

After more than two decades, Esther Swan will be leaving the Miss Universe Organization at the end of May and this has been confirmed by MUO in an official announcement. The company's longtime collaborator and director of talent development is well-known in the pageant community, especially in recent years for her "who are you?" question to every newly crowned Miss Universe winner. One of the many highlights of her time with the prestigious pageant organization was accompanying the reigning queens during their official travels around the world. In a comment on social media, Esther confirmed she isn't yet ready to retire anytime soon and emphasized that her resignation was her own choice. Although she hasn't revealed what she's up to next after leaving Miss Universe, she said, "I'm not finished, I'm too young yet, still on the clock, and got things to complete before I hang up my sash." "Esther has been integral to our development over th

The Cayman Islands Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan officially announced the government's decision to drop the national license for Miss Universe Cayman Islands. According to the minister, the local committee was consulted before notifying the Miss Universe Organization. Future uncertainties due to the changes being implemented by MUO were hinted at as the reasons for their decision. While first runner-up and 70th Miss Universe representative Chloe Powery-Doxey is expected to be officially crowned as Miss Universe Cayman Islands this March, it is still unknown who will take over the franchise or when the country will be back to the Miss Universe pageant. "I am hopeful that a private sector entity will step up and take over the franchise, because, in addition to offering tremendous empowerment opportunities for young women, it also allows them to act as positive role models for other young women, and represent the Cayman Islands as a cultural ambassador,&q

Two weeks after the announcement that shocked the pageant community, the new Miss Universe Indonesia organization under the leadership of Indonesian singer and entrepreneur Poppy Capella has been officially launched. A star-studded press conference followed by a glittering red carpet gala dinner took place on Tuesday, February 21 at the Mulia resort, on the beautiful Nusa Dua in Bali. Among the special guests were reigning Miss Universe from the USA R'Bonney Gabriel, second runner-up Andreína Martínez Founier of the Dominican Republic, and Top 5 finalist Gabriëla Dos Santos of Curacao. The owner of the Miss Universe Organization Anne Jakrajutatip and her team were also present and made another surprising revelation about her company's preference for standalone national pageants being held exclusively for her prestigious brand. "We (MUO) prefer to have just one stage for one beauty pageant brand. No other brands must involve. I respect your work in the past 20-30 years, I a

Yayasan Puteri Indonesia was surprised, Miss Universe's license was taken by another organization The Yayasan Puteri Indonesia (YPI) the organization behind the annual Puteri Indonesia pageant revealed in an official press release they were shocked by the news that the Miss Universe Indonesia license has been taken over by PT Capella Swastika Karya. According to the Head of Communication for the Puteri Indonesia Foundation, Mega Angkasa, he was surprised by the statement from another organization claiming they have the license at a press conference on Wednesday, February 8 in Jakarta. "The Puteri Indonesia Foundation was surprised because at that time we were still waiting for confirmation from MUO's Director for Global Franchise, Carlos Capetillo, regarding the continuation of the license like the previous year," he said. He continued: "On January 25, 2023, YPI received information from the Miss Universe organization that there would be bidding to extend the 202

The Miss Universe Organization started releasing the closed-door interviews of the 71st Miss Universe contestants on its official social media and streaming platforms. This historic move letting the public get access to the crucial part of the judging criteria for the first time will hopefully help shed light on why some heavy fan favorites failed to enter the semifinals. Fifty percent of the contestants' scores were from the closed-door interview with the selection committee while the other half were from the preliminary evening gown and swimsuit competitions. Fans alleged on social media that the recently concluded Miss Universe 2022 pageant was rigged which the MUO already debunked and called the false allegations "absurd" in a statement. It wasn't the first time for the winner R'Bonney Gabriel to face such allegations. The first Filipino-American Miss Universe also experienced the same challenge after she won Miss USA 2022 in Reno, Nevada last October. With th

Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has officially announced its partnership with California-based sash maker The Sash Company for their first-ever sustainable sashes. The new sashes for the forthcoming Miss Universe edition are made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials (organic and sustainable luxury fibers and threads) and with ethically produced rhinestones. "We hope our commitment to sustainability will reduce the overall amount of plastic and waste in the environment. This is one small step of many we hope to make in the future as small actions by corporations and organizations will have the greatest impact on making a greener future for all," MUO shared on its official Instagram page. The official announcement received a lot of positive feedback from the pageant fans and several contestants. Miss Universe Seychelles Gabriella Gonthier commented, "Great initiative, first steps to being a positive global ambassador." Miss Universe Venezuela Amanda Dudamel al

The new Miss Universe crown "Force for Good" by Mouawad was officially unveiled on Monday, December 19 at True Icon Hall (Icon Siam) in Bangkok, Thailand. Crafted by hand with 993 stones, 110.81 carats of blue sapphire, and 48.24 carats of white diamond, the Mouawad masterpiece truly represents what Miss Universe Organization stands for. The intricate design evokes the organization's "belief in a future forged by women who push the limits of what’s possible and the incredible women from around the world who advocate for positive change." According to Miss Universe owner Anne Jakrajutatip, the new crown "stands for a graceful reincarnation of the Miss Universe Organization’s long-standing values and heritage as a guiding light, shining bright to the future glory." "The new crown is also the dazzling illustration of both the challenges and rewards that come when young women advocate for causes close to their heart and strive to make an impact on the

A brand new Miss Universe crown "Force for Good" is scheduled to be unveiled on Monday, December 19 at True Icon Hall (Icon Siam) in Bangkok, Thailand. The $6 million masterpiece by Mouawad will be the 12th crown of the Miss Universe pageant and the second crown from the world-renowned jeweler. Don't miss watching the special unveiling event presented by JKN Global Group from 2 p.m. (Bangkok time). Live streaming will be available on the official Youtube channel  of the Miss Universe Organization. The new crown will be used officially for the first time during the coronation of the 71st Miss Universe in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA this January. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anne Jakrajutatip | แอน จักรพงษ์ (@annejkn.official) Photos: Mouawad / Miss Universe, Anne Jakrajutatip / Instagram RELATED POSTS: 71st Miss Universe: Personalized capes instead of national gifts for auction 71st Miss Universe: Contestants' profiles are out, fan

JKN Global Group PCL, the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization successfully held the first-ever Miss Universe Extravaganza at Paragon Cineplex in Bangkok, Thailand. The highly talked-about historic event which was held on Monday, November 7, and streamed across JKN platforms, was a spectacle parade of Miss Universe beauties all glammed up for the special occasion. Attended of course by the new owner herself from Thailand, Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, with MUO President Paula Shugart and CEO Amy Emmerich, the empowered reigning Miss Universe and menstrual equity advocate Harnaaz Sandhu, former titleholders, and Miss Universe Thailand's present and former queens. The past winners who were present include Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova, who after her reign made the decision to settle in Thailand where she won her title. She talked about her love for the country and attest to the many wonderful things its beauty and its warm people can offer the world. Miss Universe 2011 Le