Miss Universe: an arrest warrant issued against the organization’s co-owner, Anne Jakrajutatip
After accusations of election fraud and the sensational resignation of Olivia Yacé, a Bangkok court issued on Tuesday, November 26, an arrest warrant for Anne Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the international Miss Universe pageant.
SUMMARY
The Miss Universe 2025 pageant, which saw the crown return to Mexican Fátima Bosch in Bangkok, already seemed clouded by a downpour of controversies. Barely crowned, the new queen had to face a wave of rumors accusing the committee of having favored her victory.
According to several sources, suspicions of manipulation hovered over the final result, notably due to alleged links between the winner’s father and an influential member of the organizing committee. Although fiercely denied, these allegations have undermined the pageant’s credibility.
Miss Universe in the midst of organizational chaos
Beyond these accusations, internal tensions took a visible turn during the pageant. Several judges left the competition before the verdict was announced. To justify themselves, they cited “personal reasons” without managing to dispel doubts about possible ethical disagreements surrounding the selection process.
The matter worsened when Olivia Yacé, Miss Universe Africa and Oceania and fourth runner-up, announced her outright withdrawal. The Ivorian queen’s decision came after remarks deemed discriminatory by Raúl Rocha, president of the Miss Universe committee. He suggested that Olivia Yacé’s Ivorian passport could complicate her ability to carry out her duties. A departure that amplified the unease and confirmed the crisis of confidence affecting the organization.
A co-owner faces an arrest warrant
The scandal escalated to a new level on November 26, 2025. According to France 24 and The Independent, the civil court in southern Bangkok issued an arrest warrant against Anne Jakrajutatip, a powerful Thai transgender businesswoman and co-owner of Miss Universe since 2022.
This decision follows a complaint filed by a plastic surgeon, who accuses the executive of having misled him to get him to invest in the JKN group, her struggling media conglomerate. The dispute concerns an amount estimated at 30 million baht, or nearly $930,000. The verdict, initially scheduled for Tuesday, could not be delivered due to the defendant’s absence, whom the justice system now considers to have attempted to evade the proceedings. The court has postponed its decision to December 26.
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