Esther Swan says Paula Shugart ‘will always reign supreme’ after exiting Miss Universe post

Esther Swan, who resigned from her post as Miss Universe Organization’s (MUO) talent director last May, asserted that Paula Shugart “will always remain supreme” after the latter announced her exit from the organization.

Shugart confirmed her departure from the MUO after its 2023 edition during the pageant’s costume show in El Salvador on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in Manila) after serving as the organization’s president for 25 years.

Following Shugart’s confirmation, Swan took to her Instagram account to praise the former for announcing her exit with “class and style.”

“Yasss! I was there in spirit and here waiting on your return to share that glass of wine! You did it your way! You did it with class! You did it with style! You did it,” she said in the caption.

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Swan then pointed out that Shugart will always be a “queen forever,” while thanking the MUO’s “incredible audience” for “cheering [them] on.”

“We walk with the memories, love of the amazing women we cross [paths] with and the incredible audience who cheered us on even when we wanted to give up! The time is right and the future is yours! Brava Boss Lady! You will always reign supreme! #queenforever,” she wrote.

Shugart’s exit was also met with gratitude from Miss Universe titleholders on social media, where they expressed their love for the MUO president in the comments section of Swan’s and the former’s posts. They included Harnaaz Sandhu (2021), Ximena Navarrete (2010) and Denise Quiñones (2001).

The Philippines’ own Pia Wurtzbach, as well as Lara Dutta (2000), Riyo Mori (2007) and Lupita Jones (1991), also thanked Shugart for paving the way for “strong, empowered women.”

Details about Shugart’s successor have yet to be announced to the public as of this writing.

According to a Variety report, she will devote her time to supporting philanthropic projects including Sandhu’s Global Menstrual Equity Accelerator efforts following her tenure.