EARLIER in 2022, the Miss Universe Organization was not able to pull off the supposed 2022 edition of the Miss Universe pageant last year as it announced that its franchise was up for sale.
According to reports, the Miss Universe pageant will be sold by Ari Emanuel, the CEO of Endeavor, which also owns the Miss Universe Organization, William Morris Talent Agency, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, for $20 million (around P1.1 billion).
Just a month after the announcement, Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, a Thai transgender businesswoman, has taken over ownership of the Miss Universe competition.
Anne Jakrajutatip, a transgender woman, is a Thai entrepreneur who paid $20 million through JKN Global to purchase the Miss Universe pageant, reportedly wants Thailand to host the pageant every three to four years.
In a statement, Jakapong said that the takeover presents the potential to “evolve the brand.”
Who is Anne?
Anne is a transgender rights activist and well-known media tycoon in Thailand. The Miss Universe Organization will be owned by a woman for the first time as a result of her purchase.
Anne also functions as the company’s CEO and major shareholder of JKN Global Group Pcl, formerly known as JKN Global Media Public Company Limited. The company is situated in Thailand and specializes in producing some foreign and domestic film, television, and documentary content.
Transformational leadership
As a transgender rights advocate, Anne, the new owner of the organization, said during the launch of the new Miss Universe crown that she is looking for a contender that is “transformational” in achieving the goals of the organization.
“Our new ambition is to instill the sense of passion for ‘transformational leadership’ among us all, with firm belief that everyone can lead, to be successful, and achieve their life goals. With this future-oriented approach, the Miss Universe brand is keen to take on a pivotal role in involving and engaging people on a journey toward social inclusion, gender equality, and environmental sustainability,” she said during the press briefing.
New vision, new crown
Aside from the new vision, the Miss Universe Organization has unveiled a new crown, also known as the “Force for Good” crown in time for the debut of the latest edition of the Miss Universe.
According to the organization, the new crown is worth $5.58 million and features 993 stone settings, 110.83 carats of blue sapphire, and 48.24 carats of white diamonds.
Dubai-based luxury brand and Lebanese jeweler Mouawad produced the crown for the new edition of Miss Universe 2022. Mouawad is known for crafting expensive diamond jewelry and is the creator of the famous “Power of Unity” crown worn by Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi.
According to the jewelry brand’s Co-guardian Fred Mouawad, the Miss Universe “Force for Good” crown evokes the Miss Universe Organization’s belief in a “future forged by women who push the limits of what’s possible and advocate for positive change.”
Mouawad also describes it as a “work of extraordinary craftsmanship.”
The Miss Universe Organization will continue to be a global organization run by women for women with a promise to serve as an inspirational platform that celebrates diverse women, supporting them to realize their ambition and build self-confidence while evolving the brand over time to be more relevant and appealing to the next generation.
71st Edition
For this year’s edition, Some 84 beautiful women from all over the world are vying to win the Miss Universe 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
The coronation night of the 71st edition of Miss Universe is set on January 14, 2023 (January 15 in the Philippines) at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Louisiana.
Harnaaz Sandhu of India will crown the successor after the event.
Banner Photo Credit: Miss Universe Organization
