As the internal organizational drama continues to unfold in public.
In a statement published by Miss Universe East, the camp led by Thai pageant owner Nawat Itsaragrisil, said that 10 National Directors were excluded from a town hall event conducted by the camp of Raul Rocha, the President of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), last September 2.
“Such exclusion is unprofessional, creates unnecessary division and risks damaging the reputation of the Miss Universe Organization,” the Thai personality’s group told, adding that MU East was not consulted about these actions and it does not support the manner in which the town hall was conducted.
It also emphasized that MU East “does not believe in favoritism or selective treatment” and that every National Director and every delegate representing their country “must be treated fairly, impartially and with equal dignity and respect.”
For them, “[n]o National Director or delegate should receive an advantage or disadvantage because of personal relationships, regional affiliation or their position in any internal disagreement.”
“Every delegate must be evaluated solely on merit through fair, transparent and consistently applied procedures,” they furthered.
The MU East also said that it “remains committed to protecting the integrity of the competition and ensuring fairness for every participating country.“
ROCHA’S GROUP RESPONDS
In their own statement, the other side once again claimed legitimacy and said that the statement, issued through the missuniverse(dot)com domain and other social media platforms (excluding Instagram) should not be regarded as official statement from the MUO.
“The account from which a recently circulated statement was published has been unlawfully seized and is no longer under the control of the Miss Universe Organization,” it claimed.
They also directed stakeholders to move to their newly founded domain missuniverseorg(dot)com.
Meanwhile, regarding the earlier statement made by MU East, the MUO categorically rejected the claim that more than ten National Directors were denied access to, or removed from, the September 2 National Directors’ Town Hall.
“More than 100 countries participated in the town hall, during which National Directors received direct, first-hand information from the leadership of the Miss Universe Organization regarding matters of importance to the international organization and the upcoming 75th Anniversary competition,” they said.
Moreover, they claimed that the feedback they received from participating countries after the town hall were “overwhelmingly positive,” citing attendees confirming they felt “well-informed and appreciated the opportunity to receive accurate information directly from the Organization’s leadership.”
However, the organization confirmed that some personalities were indeed not granted access to the said meeting.
“The only individuals who were not granted access to the National Directors’ Town Hall were representatives of the Miss Universe Thailand franchise, including Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil and members of his team. This decision was made in light of recent circumstances and conduct, including personal and unfounded attacks directed against the Organization and its leadership.“
Rocha’s side then expressed their commitment to conducting its affairs with “professionalism, transparency, institutional integrity, and respect,” adding that they expect all individuals and entities associated with the Miss Universe brand to conduct themselves in accordance with the standards set by the organization.
THAILAND’S PARTICIPATION UNDER REVIEW – MUO
Meanwhile, in the same statement, the Miss Universe Organization said that they are currently evaluating the participation of Miss Universe Thailand in the upcoming 75th Miss Universe competition, which will be held in Puerto Rico this November.
“The Organization expressly reserves all rights in connection with this matter, including the right to take any measures deemed appropriate, at such time and in such manner as may be necessary, consistent with their contractual rights and obligations,” it told.
The MUO also stated that they ask stakeholders to refrain from speculation “[u]ntil an official determination is communicated.”
MU EAST RESPONDS
In a newly-released statement on Friday, September 4, the MU East said that they are aware of the statement issued by Rocha’s side, whom they refer to as “MU West” concerning the Organization’s website, the National Directors’ Town Hall and the leadership of MU East.
Foremost, they answered the statement made regarding the veracity of the accounts and website that are currently being utilized by the camp of the Thai pageant owner.
“The website [missuniverse(dot)com] has represented the Miss Universe Organization since 1995 and has served as its established global digital platform for approximately three decades. By comparison, the website promoted by MU West was established only recently. The creation of a new website and a unilateral public announcement do not, by themselves, replace the Organization’s longstanding digital platform or determine corporate authority,” they said.
Furthermore, they also strongly objected what they called “personal and disparaging references,” which they said were directed at Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil and members of his team. “Corporate disagreements should be addressed professionally and through the appropriate governance and legal processes—not through personal attacks made on a global platform,” the Eastern side stressed.
According to them, the Miss Universe Organization is now operating through a 50:50 partnership between MU East and MU West.
“MU West does not have the unilateral authority to speak for, bind or represent the Organization as a whole,” they emphasized, further noting that statements issued by MU West alone should be “clearly identified as representing MU West’s position, rather than being presented as the position of the entire Miss Universe Organization.”
“The Miss Universe platform must never be used to advance personal grievances, settle internal disagreements or target individuals and countries with whom one side may have a dispute. No single party should exercise the platform as though it possesses unlimited or exclusive control over the Organization,” the MU East added.
They also lambasted the earlier statements made by the MU West and said that they deeply regret that global platform is being used to “attack” Nawat and members of his team.
“MU East remains firmly committed to the Organization’s founding mission: celebrating women, respecting every participating country and protecting the integrity of the Miss Universe platform for National Directors, delegates, partners and audiences worldwide,” they concluded the statement.
MISS UNIVERSE THAILAND
For their part, Miss Grand Intemational Public Company Limited (“MGI”), the license holder and operator of Miss Universe Thailand, said that they considers statements suggesting Miss Universe Thailand’s participation may be restricted, suspended, or otherwise affected by the management representing the Western side, to be “inappropriate and without contractual basis insofar as MGI’s rights are concerned.”
According to them, MGI’a rights to operate and manage Miss Universe Thailand stems from from its contractual relationship with Miss Universe Eastern, which holds the authority and rights under the relevant licensing arrangement governing Miss Universe Thailand.
“MGI has no contractual relationship or obligation with the management representing Miss Universe Western in relation to the Miss Universe Thailand license. Accordingly, MGI does not recognize any purported authority of the Western management to revoke, suspend, restrict, interfere with, or otherwise determine MGI’s contractual rights or the participation of Miss Universe Thailand,” they added.
The Miss Universe Thailand also challenged the recent statement issued through a Miss Universe communication channel and presented as a statement of the Miss Universe Organization.
The national licensee said authority and management of the organization are “presently subject to internal corporate and legal disputes.” Thus, “statements made by one side of the management should not be represented as establishing or determining the contractual rights of another party without proper legal and corporate authority.“
It added that any attempt by a party without contractual authority to interfere with MGI’s existing rights “may constitute interference with contractual rights and may cause substantial commercial, reputational, and other damages to MGI.”
Meanwhile, to the allegation that Nawat Itsaragrisil “unlawfully seized or took control of the official website or Facebook account of Miss Universe,” the MGI stated that such allegation is denied.
“If the party making such allegation possesses evidence supporting this serious accusation, such evidence should be produced and substantiated through the appropriate legal process,” the MGI said, acknowledging the official Facebook page and missuniverse(dot)com domain as the official channels.
“MGI remains committed to the highest standards of corporate governance, professional pageant management, transparency and integrity in competition, continuous improvement, and strict compliance with its contractual and legal obligations,” it said, adding that it will continue to protect the legitimate contractual rights and interests of Miss Universe Thailand, its representatives, partners, stakeholders, and the Company.
