Amid an ongoing rift between factions of the organization.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 21, the national councils of the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore were announced to not be competing in the upcoming 75th Mise Universe competition, which will happen in Puerto Rico this November.
The said decision was reached after a “consultation with the relevant parties, national organizations and the six representatives,” which decided to not participate zunder the present circumstances.”
The Miss Grand International (MGI), which holds the licenses to the national franchises in these six countries, noted that the non-participation “must not be construed as a voluntary withdrawal from the contractual relationship, an abandonment of MGI’s franchise rights, or acceptance of the position asserted in the public statement concerning the six territories.”
According to the company, it continues to maintain its contractual rights and expressly preserves the continuation, extension and exercise of those rights in accordance with the applicable contractual arrangements.
“The six women will continue to hold and perform their respective national titles and responsibilities within their countries, subject to their applicable arrangements,” it also explained, adding that the reigning national queens will continue to use their platforms to create positive social impact, represent their communities, inspire others and promote the values for which they were selected.
“Their achievements, dignity and worth cannot be determined by whether circumstances beyond their control prevent them from appearing on one particular international stage,” MGI added.
“MGI stands firmly beside all six women. We believe that women’s empowerment means more than placing the word “empowerment” in a slogan. It means standing beside women when their dignity is challenged,” it said.
They emphasized that by standing up for them, they also “protect them when their safety or equal treatment cannot be sufficiently assured” and “refusing to allow women to become collateral damage in corporate conflicts.”
“And it means ensuring that no woman is threatened, rejected, discriminated against or treated differently because of a dispute she did not create,” it continued.
“The circumstances surrounding the 75th Miss Universe Competition should never diminish what these six women have achieved or the responsibilities they continue to carry for their countries,” the MGI furthered.
They then sincerely thanked the people, supporters, National Directors, partners and pageant communities of in the six countries for their continued support, adding that the queen’s continue to “serve their countries with pride” by creating positive impact within their communities and upholding the values that brought them to their national titles.
“MGI will continue to protect their dignity, their rights and their interests, and… will continue to protect and exercise its contractual rights in accordance with the applicable agreements and the law,” the statement concluded.
Previously, thevside led by Raul Rocha Cantú, also known as known as MU West, declared that the Miss Universe Eastern (MU East), which is prominently led by MGI owner Nawat Itsaragrisil and other officers, is not a “licensed entity authorized to grant or otherwise confer operational rights over the Miss Universe brand in any territory.”
Thus, their camp declared that all agreements executed by MU East are “void ab initio,” specifically it granting licenses to use the Miss Universe brand in any territory, as well as the sponsorship agreements, country licenses, franchise agreements and other commercial arrangements.
“The authority to grant or authorize such rights rests with JKN Universe LLC. Consequently, any purported granting of Miss Universe licensing rights by Miss Universe Eastern Pte. Ltd., or by any entity or affiliate acting under its authority, has no legal effect and cannot create, transfer, assign, or confer any valid rights in the Miss Universe brand,” they said in their statement.
The other camp also noted that “JKN Universe LLC cannot recognize or accept any rights purportedly granted under such arrangements,” and unilaterally announced that these countries are not eligible to join this year’s pageant.
