After Nawat’s supposed appointment, Miss Universe asserts only board says who’s in
Miss Universe Thailand organizer Nawat Itsaragrisil (left) and MUO CEO Anne Jakrajutatip. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe Thailand
The international pageant community was rocked by the announcement that Miss Grand International founder and President Nawat Itsaragrisil is now the executive director of the Miss Universe Organization. But as it turns out, the organization’s board did not make this appointment.
In a statement released on its website and dated April 23, MUO reaffirned the autonomy of its board, and strengthened its commitment to transparent governance.
On Wednesday, April 23, the Miss Universe Thailand page posted: “We proudly congratulate Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil on his appointment as Executive Director of the [MUO]. His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication continue to elevate the standards of pageantry across the Universe.”
But MUO clarified that all leadership appointments are made exclusively by its board of directors. “This Board is a fully independent and autonomous body, operating under our bylaws and guided solely by MUO’s mission and values—without influence from any external entity, including JKN Global Group.”
The statement continued: “[W]e maintain clear structural and legal separation between our Board and any external shareholders or partners. This independence ensures that MUO’s governance remains transparent, consistent, and fully aligned with our purpose: empowering women around the world,”
Itsaragrisil’s involvement with the MUO will remain to be only in selecting Thailand’s delegate and in overseeing the country’s hosting of the 74th international competition in November.
In February, Itsaragrisil’s Miss Grand International Public Co. Ltd. acquired the Miss Universe Thailand franchise. And in the succeeding month, MUO CEO Anne Jakrajutatip announced that he was to organize the staging of the 2025 Miss Universe pageant.
MUO, in its statement, expressed gratitude for the support from the participants, its partners and sponsors, as well as the fans around the world. “Your trust propels us forward as we celebrate diversity, showcase talent, and create transformative opportunities for women everywhere,” it said.
In another development, the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission has slapped MUO CEO Anne Jakrautatip and her JKN Global Group with a THB4.1-million fine (roughly P7 million), and prevented them from occupying executive posts and holding directorships in publicly listed companies for four years and eight months.
The decision stemmed from Jakrajutatip and JKN Global’s supposed false reporting of information regarding the sale of MUO stakes to the Legacy Holdings Group of Mexican tycoon Raul Rocha. The Thai SEC said they only declared that they were still looking for investors, even if the sale had already transpired.
MUO issued another statement related to this, and said “[t]hese legal proceedings are entirely separate from MUO’s operations. MUO is not a party to the investigation or appeal, and has not been implicated in any wrongdoing.”
The organization’s statement also stated that Jakrajutatip and JKN Global Group are set to appeal the Thai SEC’s decision “by presenting comprehensive evidence in its defense.”
The 74th Miss Universe pageant will be held in Thailand in November, with more than 100 participants taking part in activities in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. The coronation will be held on Nov. 21.
