Anne Jakrajutatip. Image: Instagram/@annejkn.official
Miss Universe Organization (MUO) co-owner Anne Jakrajutatip is once again in hot water after she was caught on video saying the pageant’s efforts to promote inclusivity are merely a “communication strategy,” earning the ire of netizens, including Nepali beauty queen and model Jane Garrett.
The leaked video — which was originally uploaded by one @missuupdates on Tiktok — showed Jakrajutatip at what appeared to be a business meeting with other executives of the pageant organization as they discuss the topic of allowing “trans women, women with husbands, divorced women, and candidates going beyond the age limit” to compete.
“Now that we changed the age limit, they can compete and come back again. This is a [communication strategy] because you understand that they can compete but they cannot win,” said Jakrajutatip.
@divastarklao Miss Universe Org anomalies discussed in a meeting. How true? #missuniverse #annejakapongjakrajutatip #thailand #annejakrajutatip #missuniverseissue #annejakrajutatipissue #khunanne #jknglobal #missuniverse #fy #fyp #foryourpage #foryoupage #divastar #tiktokfebibig #pageantsph #pageantryph #pageanttalkph ♬ original sound – Divastar KLao
The Thai business mogul then can he heard as saying that Miss Universe‘s recent efforts to promote “social inclusion” were merely a “policy out there” to make aspirants believe they’re “part” of the pageant.
“We just put the policy out there… social inclusion as people would say, like that way of thinking. They would think that I’m a part of the organization. We will tell them, you are unclear, with respect and inclusion,” she said.
The leaked video has since made the rounds of social media, with some calling out the MUO for its “fake” efforts to promote women empowerment. Others said the video marks the downfall of the global tilt.
Image: Screengrab from Tiktok/@divastarklao
Image: Screengrab from Tiktok/@divastarklao
The original video has since been taken down, although many reuploaded Jakrajutatip’s meeting on social media.
‘I knew it was rigged’
Garrett, who represented Nepal in Miss Universe 2023 last November, took to her Instagram Story on Sunday, Feb. 25, to reveal that she had an inkling the pageant was “rigged” from her experience.
“Honey, I knew it was rigged from the moment I was onstage. I realized us ‘inclusion’ girls weren’t ever gonna get a real chance to win,” she said while sharing a quote card containing Jakrajutatip’s remarks in the leaked video.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@jadedipika_
Despite the alleged rigging, Garrett said she is “super happy” nonetheless for the “platform” she created after joining the pageant.
“But it is what it is and I’m super happy for my experience there and the platform I’ve been able to create. I have all my lovely fans and supporters and that’s more than the crown for me,” she said.
Garrett is one of the candidates who made history in the 2023 edition of the global tilt after it opened its doors to mothers and transgender women.
Neither Jakrajutatip nor the MUO have commented on the leaked video, but the organization earlier came to the Thai business mogul’s defense while citing her efforts to promote “transparency and integrity.”
The businesswoman made headlines earlier this month after ex-MUO president Paula Shugart declared that she would be taking legal action against the former.