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Search resuls for: "Miss Universe Organization"


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Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst's new memoir was finished by her mother, April Simpkins. AdvertisementA new memoir by former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst was released on Tuesday. Kryst was an attorney, reporter, and Miss USA titleholderKryst won the Miss USA title in 2019 while representing North Carolina, and made the top 10 at Miss Universe that same year. Miss USA Cheslie Kryst competed in the 2019 Miss Universe pageant. In 2019, Kryst was part of a historic moment when Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America all went to women of color.
Persons: April Simpkins, Simpkins, Kryst's, , Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, Kryst, Benjamin Askinas, John Huber, Healthline, Cheslie —, Cheslie Kryst, Mimi Winsberg, Brightside, Winsberg Organizations: Miss USA, Service, Miss, Miss Universe Organization, Mental Health, BI, Brothers, Sisters, America, Miss Teen USA, Miss America, Depression Association of America Locations: North Carolina, San Francisco
She won Miss North Carolina USA in 2019 and began preparing for Miss USA while working full-time as a complex litigation attorney. Lunch breaks were reserved for Miss North Carolina speaking engagements or practicing with her Miss USA interview coaches. Related storiesThe preparation didn't ease up once Kryst arrived in Reno, Nevada, for Miss USA 2019. Miss USA/Alex Mertz"The Miss USA competition was far more than the television broadcast aired on finals night," she wrote in her memoir. It was a historic year for pageants as Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America were all won by women of color.
Persons: , Kryst's, April Simpkins, Patrick Prather, I'd, Kryst, Cheslie, Miss USA, Alex Mertz, Simpkins Organizations: Service, Miss USA, Miss North Carolina USA, Business, Miss, Miss Universe, Miss North, Miss Universe Organization, Miss Teen USA, Miss America Locations: Miss USA, USA, Miss North Carolina, Reno , Nevada, acclimate
Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst's new memoir, "By the Time You Read This," was released Tuesday. Simpkins wrote that she found out about her daughter's suicide note in a news article. AdvertisementOn the morning of January 30, 2022, April Simpkins received one last text from her daughter, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst. It's a message Simpkins shares in Kryst's memoir, "By the Time You Read This," which she helped finish following her 30-year-old daughter's death by suicide. AdvertisementKryst won Miss USA in May 2019.
Persons: April Simpkins, Simpkins, , Miss USA Cheslie, Kryst, Frank L, she'd, Benjamin Askinas, Miss Universe Organization Simpkins, Cheslie, John Lamparski Organizations: Miss, Service, Miss USA, Uber, Miss Universe Organization, National Alliance, Mental, New York Police Department, Business Locations: New York City, South Carolina, New York
CNN —The Miss Universe Organization is disputing a flurry of what it calls “false and misleading” reports of Saudi Arabia’s participation in its 2024 pageant — news that, were it true, would have marked the Middle Eastern country’s debut. The post featured images of her wearing a sequined evening gown, glamorous tiara and sash embroidered with “Miss Universe Saudi Arabia.”Al-Qahtani’s announcement was widely-shared on social media and in news reports; it remains on her social media profiles despite the Miss Universe pageant now challenging its veracity. The pageant’s statement noted that over 100 other countries will be represented at the 2024 Miss Universe competition, which will be held in Mexico in September. This year also mark the debut of a new “cultural heritage pageant” within the Miss Universe system, with the ratification of the Miss Universe Persia national director and board in recent weeks. The Miss Universe Persia pageant will be open to women “of Persian descent” and across the Persian diaspora; its winner “will join all other delegates from all over the world in the Miss Universe competition to be held in Mexico later this year,” the Miss Universe spokesperson confirmed.
Persons: Rumy, Qahtani, , Organizations: CNN, Miss Universe Organization, Saudi, Facebook, Miss Universe, Miss, Miss Universe Persia Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Mexico, Persia
Jackie Loughery, the first woman to be crowned Miss USA, died at 93. Loughery won Miss New York in 1952 before winning Miss USA after a tie-breaking vote. She took ninth place at Miss Universe and then became a Hollywood actor. Jackie Loughery, the first woman to be crowned Miss USA, has died. Loughery won the Miss New York pageant in 1952 before competing at the first Miss USA pageant, which was held that year in Long Beach, California.
Persons: Jackie Loughery, Miss USA, Loughery Organizations: Miss, Miss New, Miss USA, Miss Universe Organization, trailblazer Locations: Miss New York, Hollywood, Long Beach , California
Read previewThis will be the first year that any adult woman can compete at Miss USA . Both Miss USA and Miss America weathered scandals and declining ratings throughout the 2000s, prompting both organizations to make big shifts. Miss America did away with the swimsuit competition, while Miss USA now allows married women and mothers to compete. AdvertisementThe Miss USA pageant has helped launch the careers of everyone from Halle Berry to Kenya Moore. Miss USA is about to follow on the heels of the most diverse Miss Universe competition in history.
Persons: , Crystle Stewart, Miss USA, Miss America, Laylah Rose, Rose, Rachel Slawson, Jessielyn Palumbo, we're, it's, who's, Benjamin Askinas, you've, they're, they've, Susie Castillo, Eric Gay, Castillo, Merissa Underwood, Halle, Kenya Moore, Underwood, It's, Noelia Voigt Organizations: Service, Miss USA, Miss Universe Organization, Business, Miss, Miss USA's, Asya Branch, Branch, Associated Press, USA, Miss Universe Locations: Miss USA, Utah, Montana, Halle Berry, Kenya, California, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama
Slawson said Kryst encouraged her to make history by wearing pants during the evening gown round. Business Insider recently sat down with former Miss USA contestant Rachel Slawson , who called Kryst a huge inspiration. Kryst, who won Miss USA in 2019, encouraged Slawson to make history as the first woman to wear pants during the evening gown competition when she competed as Miss Utah in 2020. Slawson said Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst encouraged her to wear pants during the competition. Slawson went on to make history as the first openly bisexual contestant at Miss USA , as well as the first queer woman to compete at the Miss Grand USA pageant.
Persons: Rachel Slawson, Kryst, Slawson, , It's, Miss USA Cheslie, Cheslie Kryst, Cheslie, would've, Kryst's, April Simpkins, John Lamparski, it's, I'm, she's Organizations: Miss, Miss USA, Service, Business, Miss Universe, Miss Grand USA, Miss Grand Locations: Miss Utah
Nicaragua's Miss Universe franchise owner accused of conspiracy
  + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +2 min
Miss Australia Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild and Miss Colombia Camila Avella the top five finalists, take part in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador November 18, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 2 (Reuters) - Nicaraguan police late on Friday charged the owner of the local Miss Universe franchise with conspiracy, money laundering and spreading fake news, just weeks after the Central American nation's first victory in the pageant. Authorities have accused Karen Celebertti, director of the Miss Nicaragua franchise, her husband and son with conspiracy against the government, according to a statement issued by the national police. Celebertti's local Miss Universe organization has been used to "turn pageants into political traps and political ambushes, financed by foreign agents," the police statement said. Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios won the title of Miss Universe on Nov. 18, becoming the first Central American to wear the crown.
Persons: Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild, Colombia Camila Avella, Jose Cabezas, Karen Celebertti, Celebertti, Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios, Palacios, Ismael Lopez, Toby Chopra Organizations: Miss, Miss Nicaragua, 72nd Miss Universe, REUTERS, Nicaraguan police, Miss Universe, Central American, Reuters, Authorities, Central, Nicaraguans, Police, Inter, American, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Miss Puerto, Miss Thailand, San Salvador, Miss Nicaragua, Nicaragua, Central American, New York
Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Bolivia, Estefany Rivero. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Brazil, Maria Brechane. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Bulgaria, Yuliia Pavlikova. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Slovakia, Kinga Puhová Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss South Africa, Bryoni Govender. The 2023 Miss Universe pageant also marks longtime Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart’s last year.
Persons: Hector Vivas, Ana Coimbra, Benjamin Askinas, Estefany Rivero, Miss Brazil, Maria Brechane, Miss Bulgaria, Yuliia Pavlikova, Issie Princesse, Madison Kvaltin, Powery, Miss Universe Miss Curacao, Kim Rossen, Vanesa Švédová, Miss El Salvador, Isabella García, Miss France, Diane Leyre, Jessica Page, Shweta Sharda, Aishah Akorede, Miss Jamaica, Jordanne Levy, Rio Miyazaki, Tomiris Zair, Lathsabanthao, Aboul Hosn, Miss Mauritius, Tatiana Beauharnais, Miss Universe Miss Myanmar, Amara Bo, Miss Nepal, Jane Garrett, Rikkie Kollé, Sheynnis Palacios, Erica Robin, Miss Panama, Natasha Vargas, Miss Peru, Camila Escribens, Marina Machete, Miss Universe Miss Singapore, Priyanka Annuncia, Kinga Puhová Benjamin Askinas, Bryoni Govender, Miss Spain, Athenea Pérez, Angelina Usanova, Noelia Voigt, Miss Universe Miss Venezuela, Diana Silva, Rikkie, Marina Machete of, Camila Avella, Michelle Cohn of, Nepal’s Jane Garrett, Paula Shugart’s, Shugart, , ” Shugart Organizations: CNN, Miss, Images Miss, Miss Universe Miss, Miss Universe Miss Canada, Madison, Miss Universe Miss Ireland, Miss Universe Miss Kazakhstan, Miss Laos, Miss USA, Miss Universe Organization, JKN Global Group Locations: El Salvador’s, San Salvador, United States, Images Miss Angola, Miss Universe Miss Bolivia, Issie, Miss Cayman Islands, Miss Universe Miss Czech Republic, Britain, Rio, Miss Universe Miss Lebanon, Miss Universe Miss Nicaragua, Africa, Netherlands, Marina Machete of Portugal, Colombia, Michelle Cohn of Guatemala, Thailand
CNN —This year’s Miss Universe pageant will feature at least two trans women for first time, after 23-year-old flight attendant Marina Machete was last week named Miss Portugal. Ms Portugal 2023 - Finalista Palmela Marina MacheteIf either candidate wins, they will become the first trans woman to wear the tiara. Neither Machete nor Miss Portugal’s organizers responded to requests for interview, though in a statement to CNN the Miss Universe Organization said: “Trans women are women, full stop. “Starting next year, every adult woman in the world will be eligible to compete to be Miss Universe,” the statement added. “Miss Universe asked us to describe ourselves in one word,” Kollé said in a video posted to her Instagram page ahead of the Miss Netherlands final.
Persons: Marina Machete, Miss Portugal, Machete, Rikkie Kollé, , I’ve, Portugal, Marina, Spain’s Ángela Ponce, Miss Portugal’s, Jenna Talackova, Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, Miss Universe's, Carlos Alvarez, , ” Kollé, you’re Organizations: CNN, Miss, 72nd Miss, YouTube, Miss Universe Organization, Miss Universe Canada, JKN Global Locations: El Salvador, Miss Netherlands, Portuguese, Thailand, Madrid, Spain, China
Miss USA 2023: Noelia Voigt of USA wins pageant
  + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +3 min
Following a recent rule change implemented by the Miss Universe Organization, this year’s Miss USA featured the first married state titleholder — Juliana Morehouse-Locklear of Maine. (Morehouse-Locklear, the daughter of a contestant in the 1994 Miss USA pageant, did not advance to the top 20.) Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel is crowned the 2022 Miss Universe on January 14 in New Orleans. Gabriel’s win at the 2022 Miss USA pageant was marred by claims made by some of her fellow contestants that the pageant had been “rigged” in her favor. In the weeks after her crowning in October 2022, Miss USA’s parent company, the Miss Universe Organization, opened an investigation and suspended then-Miss USA national director Crystle Stewart — winner of the 2008 Miss USA pageant — and her company, Miss Brands.
Persons: CNN — Noelia Voigt, Voigt, — Voigt, Gankiewicz, Jasmine Daniels of, Lluvia, Alexis Loomans, , Vivica, ” Luann, Patrick Starrr, Laylah Rose, — Juliana Morehouse, R'Bonney Gabriel, Jason Kempin, Morgan Romano, Romano, R’Bonney Gabriel, Gabriel’s, Crystle Stewart —, , Gabriel, Stewart, ” Gabriel, , Crystle, Miss Brand’s, … Crystle, UmaSofia Srivastava, Stephanie Skinner Organizations: CNN, Miss, Sierra, CW Network, Savannah, Wisconsin —, Miss Universe Organization, Miss USA, Fox, Morehouse, Locklear, USA, Miss Brands, Miss USA Organization, Sierra Resort, Miss Teen USA Locations: Utah, Reno , Nevada, Savannah Gankiewicz, Hawaii, Jasmine Daniels of Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, United States, USA, Locklear, Maine, New Orleans, North Carolina, Miss USA, New Jersey, New York
Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters —The Miss Universe Organization said Saturday it was cutting ties with its Indonesian franchisee and canceling this year’s Malaysia pageant after contestants accused local organizers of sexual harassment. Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants filed complaints with police accusing organizers of sexual harassment, saying they were subjected to topless “body checks,” their lawyer said on Tuesday. Capella said in a statement on Instagram she does not condone any form of sexual harassment. The Jakarta contest was held to select Indonesia’s entry for the annual Miss Universe competition, to be held in El Salvador late this year. The Miss Universe Organization said it was evaluating its policies and procedures to avoid similar occurrence in the future, adding that there are no measurement or body dimensions requirement to join their pageant worldwide.
Persons: Indonesia Reuters —, Poppy Capella, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Capella, Organizations: Indonesia Reuters, Miss Universe Organization, Capella, Miss Universe Malaysia, Miss Universe Indonesia, Miss Universe Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Malaysia, Miss Universe Indonesia, El Salvador
A general view during the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman/ File PhotoJAKARTA, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The Miss Universe Organization said it was cutting ties with its Indonesian franchisee and cancelling this year's Malaysia pageant after contestants accused local organisers of sexual harassment. Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants filed complaints with police accusing organisers of sexual harassment, saying they were subjected to topless "body checks", their lawyer said on Tuesday. "I emphasise that I, as the national director and license owner for Miss Universe Indonesia, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who plays a role and participated in the process of organising Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit sexual harassment through body checking as reported," she said. The Jakarta contest was held to select Indonesia's entry for the annual Miss Universe competition, to be held in El Salvador late this year.
Persons: Jonathan Bachman, Poppy Capella, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Capella, Fransiska Nangoy, Stanley Widianto, William Mallard Organizations: Miss Universe, REUTERS, Miss Universe Organization, Capella, Miss Universe Malaysia, Miss Universe Indonesia, Thomson Locations: New Orleans , Louisiana, U.S, JAKARTA, Malaysia, Jakarta, Miss Universe Indonesia, El Salvador
CNN —The Miss Universe Organization said Saturday it was cutting ties with its Indonesian franchisee and canceling this year’s Malaysia pageant after contestants accused local organizers of sexual harassment. Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants filed complaints with police accusing organizers of sexual harassment, saying they were subjected to topless “body checks,” their lawyer said on Tuesday. “I emphasize that I, as the national director and license owner for Miss Universe Indonesia, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who plays a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit sexual harassment through body checking as reported,” she said. The Jakarta contest was held to select Indonesia’s entry for the annual Miss Universe competition, to be held in El Salvador late this year. The Miss Universe Organization said it was evaluating its policies and procedures to avoid similar occurrence in the future, adding that there are no measurement or body dimensions requirement to join their pageant worldwide.
Persons: Poppy Capella, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Capella, Organizations: CNN, Miss Universe Organization, Capella, Miss Universe Malaysia, Miss Universe Indonesia, Miss Universe Locations: Malaysia, Jakarta, Miss Universe Indonesia, El Salvador
Hong Kong CNN —Six finalists in this year’s Miss Universe Indonesia beauty pageant have lodged police complaints accusing organizers of making them strip for “body checks” and topless photographs. “It was enough to humiliate and degrade her,” the lawyer said in comments aired by CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia. The Miss Universe pageant takes place every year in a different host country, and sees dozens of national pageant winners competing for the global title. In a statement shared with CNN, Miss Universe organizers said they were aware of the allegations made against the Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 pageant, which is operated by a local franchisee. “Miss Universe takes allegations of sexual abuse and impropriety extremely seriously,” the statement read.
Persons: Mellisa, , Anggraini, Yuliansyah, Poppy Capella Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Miss, Indonesia, CNN, CNN Indonesia, Reuters, Police, Miss Universe, ” CNN Locations: Hong Kong, Jakarta, Miss Universe Indonesia, Indonesian
JAKARTA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Six contestants of a Miss Universe Indonesia pageant have filed complaints with police accusing organisers of sexual harassment after they alleged they were subjected to topless "body checks", their lawyer said on Tuesday. The Miss Universe Organization said in a statement on Tuesday that it had been made aware of the allegations and it was looking into this matter. "Miss Universe takes allegations of sexual abuse and impropriety extremely seriously. Thai celebrity media tycoon and transgender rights advocate Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million last year. The contest run by the Miss Universe Organization, which was co-owned by Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002, has been running since 1952.
Persons: Mellisa, Poppy Capella, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Jakapong, Anne ” Jakrajutatip, Donald Trump, Stanley Widianto, Ananda Teresia, Kate Lamb, Robert Birsel, Alex Richardson Organizations: Miss Universe Indonesia, . Police, Miss Universe Organization, Miss, Capella, Reuters, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesian, Jakarta, Indonesia, El Salvador
A satirical article about Miss USA boycotting the Miss Universe pageant is being shared by users who believe it to be true. Examples of posts sharing the satirical article without a disclaimer can be seen (here) and (here). The article describes “Natasha Berkelston” as Miss USA, however, this does not match the most recent contestant crowned as Miss USA in 2022, Morgan Romano (missusa.com/titleholder/), or any previous winners (missusa.com/formers/). “It’s not news that we welcome all women contestants, and that our official policy has been that trans women are women for more than a decade,” the spokesperson said. “Therefore, no USA contestant or winner would be surprised by the outcome of the Miss Universe Netherlands pageant.”VERDICTSatire.
Persons: , Billbordi, Dunning, ” The Dunning, tomfoolery, “ Natasha Berkelston ”, Miss USA, Morgan Romano, , Romano, Kollé, Angela Ponce, “ It’s, Read Organizations: Miss USA, Miss, Kruger Times, Defense, Reuters, Miss Universe, Miss Netherlands Locations: Miss Netherlands, Miss Universe Netherlands
Trump took credit in 2012 for ending the Miss Universe pageant's ban on transgender women. CNN's Andrew Kaczynski resurfaced Trump's stance on trans women competing in the Miss Universe pageant, which he owned from 1996 to 2015. Several news reports from April 2012 credit Trump specifically with reversing the pageant's ban on transgender women. Trump's tone on transgender women competing in women's sports has been pointedly different on the 2024 campaign trail. In countless rallies and speeches, Trump has railed against transgender women and claimed they are destroying women's sports.
Persons: Trump, Jenna Talackova, , Donald Trump, CNN's Andrew Kaczynski, they'd, Talackova, Gloria Allred, Michael Cohen, " Cohen, Jenna, Miss USA Olivia Culpo, Culpo Organizations: CNN, Service, Miss Universe, Trump, Miss Universe Organization, Miss, Miss USA, Fox News, American Medical Association Locations: Canada
CNN —Years before he said he was running for president to “defeat the cult of gender ideology,” Donald Trump welcomed and praised the inclusion of transgender women in the Miss Universe pageant. He then later effusively praised the winner of the Miss USA pageant, Olivia Culpo, for saying that transgender women should be allowed to compete. Transgender contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition in Toronto, May 19, 2012. Mark Blinch/ReutersTrump, then the owner of the Miss Universe pageant, would go on to cite the possible participation of transgender women in Olympic sports to justify his decision to end a ban on transgender pageant participants. “And you have the Miss Canada, which is essentially the Miss Universe.
Persons: ” Donald Trump, Jenna Talackova, effusively, Olivia Culpo, Mark Blinch, Reuters Trump, Trump, , he’d, That’s, Culpo, , ” Culpo, Trump . Donald Trump, David Becker, , ” Trump, Talackova, Gloria Allred, Michael Cohen, Cohen, Laura Ingraham, Carrie Prejean, Shanna Moakler, Donald Trump, Lucas Jackson Organizations: CNN, Miss Universe, Trump, Miss USA, Miss Universe Canada, Reuters, Republican, White, Trump ., Miss, Hollywood, Getty, Fox, Friends, Trump Organization, Olympics, Fox News, Miss California USA, Miss Universe Organization, GLAAD, Mr Locations: Canadian, Toronto, Las Vegas , Nevada, Canada, Miss Canada, United States, New York
A Miss Universe judge responded to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's comments on the pageant. Miss Universe judge Emily Austin said in an interview with Fox News published Friday that Maduro's criticism was hypocritical. Miss Venezuela, Miss USA, and Miss Dominican Republic compete in the 71st annual Miss Universe. Jason Kempin / Staff / Getty ImagesThe Miss Universe Organization chief executive Amy Emmerich also defended Gabriel's wins in both the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants in a statement to the Los Angeles Times on January 18. "People saying that its 'suspect' that JKN Global Group owns both Miss Universe and Miss USA aren't familiar with the history of the organizations.
In 2019 Anita Green, a transgender woman, sued Miss United States of America LLC for discrimination. "You know I'm transgender, right," Green wrote in a message to Smith, according to the 106-page opinion. Miss United States is not the same as the Miss USA Organization, which is the televised beauty-pageant arm of the Miss Universe Organization. Isabella Ilacqua founded the United States National Pageants organization in 1986. United States National Pageants didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, and Green declined to comment at this time.
CNN —A Thai media tycoon and transgender rights advocate has bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million, according to her company, which will now host the international beauty pageant. In a joint statement, the CEO and president of the Miss Universe Organization said they were “excited to continue the evolution of the Miss Universe Organization with JKN.”“Our progressive approach continues to position us at the forefront of our industry,” they said. The purchase makes Jakkaphong the first woman owner of the Miss Universe Organization, according to the JKN news release. The Miss Universe beauty contest, one of the world’s most-watched pageants, has been running since 1952. And in 2019, the winners of five major pageants – Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA – were all women of color, a remarkable milestone given black women weren’t allowed to compete in Miss America until the 1940s, and the first black contestant didn’t take that stage until 30 years later.
A Thai businesswoman and transgender advocate bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million, making her the first woman to own the global beauty pageant in its 71-year history, her company announced Wednesday. The Miss Universe Organization, which was co-owned by former President Donald Trump between 1996-2015, was bought by Endeavor’s IMG in 2015. Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu of India, waves after being crowned Dec. 12, 2021, in Eilat, Israel. The Miss Universe pageant, which started in 1952, broadcasts in 165 countries. The pageant featured its first transgender contestant in 2018, when Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, competed for the crown.
Thai businesswoman buys Miss Universe pageant for $20 mln
  + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
BANGKOK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - A Thai celebrity media tycoon and transgender rights advocate has bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million, marking the first time the beauty pageant organiser will be owned by a woman, her company said on Wednesday. She has been outspoken about her experience as a transgender woman and also set up the Life Inspired For Thailand Foundation to advocate for the rights to dignity and opportunities for transgender people. The acquisition is "a strong, strategic addition to our portfolio," said Jakapong, adding that Miss Universe, with its content, licensing and merchandising opportunities, plans to expand in Asia. JKN produces its own shows and distributes content in Thailand from abroad including documentaries and Bollywood dramas. The annual beauty contest run by the Miss Universe Organisation, which was co-owned by Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002, is broadcast in 165 countries and has been running for 71 years.
Miss Universe Organization ran the Miss USA competition until 2020, when The Miss Brand Corp., headed by Crystle Stewart, took over. … I understand how isolating it is to win Miss USA,” Elle Smith, who was Miss USA last year, said in a TikTok video. She argued that Gabriel was “the clear front-runner.”“She needed to perform at Miss USA and she did exactly that,” Smith added. When I won Miss Texas USA, Miss USA and more recently, became President of the Miss USA Organization many women of color were inspired and filled with hope,” she said in her statement Friday. “Because this is not the Miss USA organization that we all looked up to as little girls.
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