The transgender co-owner of Miss Universe was caught saying that “trans women, married women and divorced women” can compete in the beauty pageant but cannot win, in a leaked video.
In footage from a board meeting last November, Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip was heard making bold statements about how diversity improves the competition’s image, but ultimately, women from non-traditional backgrounds will not succeed in the end.
The video, presented to voice by Rodrigo Goytortua Ortega, former general director of Miss Universe Mexico, heard Jakrajutatip explain in more detail: ‘Trans women, women with husbands, divorced women… This is a communication strategy, because, you understand… .can compete. but they can’t win. We simply published the policy. Social inclusion, as people would say.’
The images continue to capture other board members suggesting the launch of a ‘Miss Universe Model Agency’ where the organization can hold castings for models ‘of all different colors, sizes, whatever’, with which Jakrajutatip He agreed.
However, he later agreed with the suggestion of another meeting member who warned that the audience would then have to be monitored, in case “they all vote for the large size.”
The Miss Universe organization had its first transgender contestant, Miss Spain Ángela Ponce, in 2018.
In footage from a board meeting last November, Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip was heard making bold statements about how diversity improves the competition’s image, but ultimately, women from non-traditional backgrounds will not succeed in the end.
Jakrajutatip said: ‘This is a communication strategy, because, you know… they can compete but not win. We simply published the policy. Social inclusion, as people would say’
The Miss Universe organization had its first transgender contestant, Miss Spain Ángela Ponce, in 2018
The 2023 contestant lineup then saw the first appearance of married women, Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn and Miss Camila Avella.
Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett was the first plus-size contestant to take the stage during the 72nd Miss Universe competition.
A version of the leaked images circulated in Asian and Latin American media in February, but was not widely available in the United States and prompted a response on Jakrajutatip’s Facebook that same month.
He claimed his words were taken out of context, adding: “The maliciously edited video was taken out of context and was used to manipulate other people, leading to public confusion, misunderstandings, misinterpretations and erroneous conclusions.”
‘I am a trans woman and a mother who has fought all my life for gender equality rights to be where I am.’
Miss Universe also sent USA Today A February statement said the organization has worked “tirelessly to promote inclusion.”
“In light of recent misinformation and attempts to defame the Miss Universe Organization, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the core values we have diligently upheld over the years,” the statement read.
‘The Miss Universe Organization has worked tirelessly to promote inclusivity, transparency and integrity, and we will not be swayed by unfounded accusations.
(LR) Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza, Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes and Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova
“We have been informed of malicious attempts by certain individuals to tarnish the reputation of our organization by spreading false accusations.”
But Jakrajutatip’s comments about the shocking images carry extra weight given the recent controversies surrounding the Miss Universe Organization following the double resignation of two pageant queens last month.
In May, Miss USA 2024 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2024 UmaSofia Srivastava both resigned within days of each other.
Voigt, 24, shared her surprising resignation on Instagram, explaining that she wanted to focus on her “physical and mental well-being.”
Then, just two days later, Srivastava, 17, said she, too, was resigning because her personal values ”no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”
The back-to-back resignations sent shockwaves throughout the pageant community, with eagle-eyed fans spotting a “code” in Noelia’s statement after the first letter of each sentence: “I AM SILENT.”
In her shocking statement, Noelia cited a ‘toxic work environment’ with ‘poor management’ as the reason for her departure.
The Miss Universe Organization is the parent company of the Miss USA Organization and their pageants are siblings.
Both Miss USA 2024 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2024 UmaSofia Srivastava (seen together) announced they were giving up their titles within days of each other.
The announcements sent shockwaves through the beauty industry, especially after fans noticed that the first letter of each sentence of Noelia’s statement read, “I AM SILENT.”
The winner of Miss USA qualifies to compete in the Miss Universe pageant just a few months into her reign.
Officially, Miss Universe claims it is “The Greatest Celebration of All Women.”
“The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a global and inclusive organization that celebrates all cultures, backgrounds and religions,” the organization says.
“We create and provide a safe space for women to share their stories and drive personal, professional and philanthropic impact.”
But for several years, contestants have come forward to share their experiences that contradict Miss Universe’s inclusive mission statement.
In 1957, Mary Leona Gage of Texas was crowned Miss America, but her title was later revoked after authorities discovered she was secretly married and had two children.
Officials reportedly told Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado of Venezuela that they would replace her if she did not lose weight.
At the time, Donald Trump, who became a co-owner of the pageants that year, even called her “an eating machine” and “Miss Piggy” on Howard Stern’s radio show.
Donald Trump, who became part owner of the pageants in 1996, called Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado “an eating machine” and “Miss Piggy” on Howard Stern’s radio show.
Siera Bearchell, who represented Canada at Miss Universe in 2017, told Elle that she was “told she had to lose” a certain amount of weight “to have the potential to win the competition,” which led her to “restrict her diet.” on the drive up.
“I was never happy with the way I looked or what I was told to do,” she said. ‘I was told to eat as little as possible… I couldn’t even exercise at the level I would because I literally had no fuel for my body.
‘Some days I would eat a single protein bar, half in the morning and half later, and do hours of training. They told me, “If you want to be successful, this is what you have to do.”
Additionally, following her 2021 win, Miss USA Elle Smith pleaded with the organization to show “all body types.”
“At Miss United States we have been very inclusive with different ethnicities and races, but more or less, we are all very similar,” she said. Well-informed person.
“I think if we want to be representative of women as a whole, then we have to be more inclusive of all body types.”
But being crowned the winner comes with immense pressure, which tragically led one woman to take her own life.
Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst jumped to her death from the 29th floor of her New York City apartment building in January 2022 at age 30, just three years after becoming the oldest woman to win the title of Miss United States.
MailOnline has contacted the Miss Universe Organization for comment.