6 Southeast Asian nations to skip Miss Universe 2026 pageant
Miss Grand International will not send representatives from six Southeast Asian countries to Miss Universe 2026 amid an ongoing dispute over franchise rights and the eligibility of their contestants.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Oct. 21, the organization said representatives from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos won't travel to Puerto Rico for the 75th edition of the international beauty pageant.
"MGI has determined that it is no longer reasonably possible to send the six representatives to participate in the 75th Miss Universe Competition under conditions that adequately protect their status, dignity, safety, and equal treatment," the MGI wrote.
The dispute began in September, when the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said it would not recognize franchise agreements involving Miss Universe Eastern Pte. Ltd., a company associated with Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil. The MUO maintained that the company did not have the authority to grant licenses for the Miss Universe brand and declared contestants from the six countries ineligible to compete.
The announcement was challenged by MU East, which said it had the contractual right to appoint franchise partners across 95 territories and send eligible delegates from the affected countries to the competition. It argued that valid agreements could not be canceled through a unilateral public statement.
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The disagreement left the contestants’ participation uncertain ahead of the November pageant. Nawat insisted on Sept. 18 that all six delegates would still travel to Puerto Rico, saying, “I am not going, but the contestants are definitely going,” according to The Nation Thailand.
Despite its decision not to send the delegates this year, the MGI said it does not consider the move a voluntary withdrawal or a surrender of its contractual rights. It also said the six contestants would retain their national titles and continue their duties in their respective countries.
The MGI added that it would continue to defend the rights and interests of the delegates and the company, including through possible legal action.
The six countries’ expected representatives included Thailand’s Tharina Botes, Vietnam’s Nguyen Quynh Anh, Malaysia’s Eunice Wong, Indonesia’s Alda Callista and Singapore’s Vion Erico Tan. The selection process for Miss Universe Laos 2026 was still ongoing before the latest development.
The 75th Miss Universe competition is scheduled to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 24. The Philippines will be represented by Bea Millan-Windorski.
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