Miss Universe Singapore 2025 Annika Xue Sager not invited to 2026 pageant finals, shares hurtful experience online
Former Miss Universe Singapore Annika Xue Sager took to social media on 14 Oct to share that she was snubbed from attending this year’s pageant finals.
View this post on Instagram
Yesterday should’ve been the day that I passed on my crown at the Miss Universe Singapore Finals. Instead, I watched that chapter close without me.
In an exclusive with MS News, Ms Sager explained that she had been “waiting for an invitation, thinking [she] might still be included, but it never came.”
Instead, she only knew about this year’s event after people started sending her Instagram posts promoting the finals.
New organisers have had no communication since last year
Source: annikaxuesager on Instagram
HyperLive Entertainment is organising Miss Universe Singapore 2026, having taken over from last year’s organisers, Beyond Entity Sdn Bhd.
Its CEO, Sean Wong, is the national director of Miss Universe Singapore 2026.
According to Ms Sager, “neither [she] nor [her] agency received any communication from the new organisers regarding the finals or the passing on of [the] crown.”
In fact, she “[hasn’t] had any communication with the new organisers” ever since they took over the Miss Universe Singapore license.
Possible licensing issues
Source: annikaxuesager on Instagram
In the Instagram video, Ms Sager also mentioned that HyperLive could have met with her to iron out any image rights or contractual issues.
Such licensing matters are possibly a byproduct of issues with franchise agreements in September, involving Miss Universe Singapore.
The dispute involving Miss Universe Eastern, headed by Thai pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil, had possibly barred Singapore from participating.
Nawat reportedly approached Mr Wong to acquire the franchise rights for Singapore in August.
Regardless, amid unclear licensing disputes, the organisers kept Ms Sager in the dark regarding her role.
She said:
I was never informed of how the licensing situation might affect my role as the outgoing queen, nor was I approached to discuss my image rights or involvement in the finals.
She continued to represent the Miss Universe Singapore title through her public appearances, interviews and other engagements over the past year.
However, it remained unclear which, if any, of the events fell under the category of licensed events.
Unheard of not to follow through with tradition
Ms Sager also told MS News that she “mentally prepared” a speech and walk, on top of planning her dress “months in advance” of the finals.
“I was really looking forward to expressing my gratitude to everyone who had been part of my journey and having the opportunity to properly close this chapter,” she said.
As such, not receiving an invitation was “genuinely hurtful” and it prompted her to share her experience in a video.
She stressed that this was not to create conflict, adding that it was important for her to express her genuine feelings.
In the video, Ms Sager said that honouring the outgoing queen is “deeply rooted in the Miss Universe organisation”. She went on to say that failing to uphold this tradition was “unheard of”.
Ms Sager also said the organisation should have acknowledged the 2025 runners-up, Inez Chen and Alexis Kaur.
Source: missuniversesingapore_official on Instagram
She also clarifies that the new Miss Universe Singapore “definitely deserves her moment just as I deserved mine”, clearing doubts that any of her disappointment may be directed towards her successor.
Still thankful, despite everything
Source: annikasager on TikTok
Despite how things unfolded, Ms Sager still expresses her appreciation for those who have supported her over the past year.
She ends the video expressing her gratitude for the “countless opportunities and experiences” she has gained and promises to continue her journey with “gratitude, grace, and pride”.
Also read: S’pore among 6 countries that may be barred from Miss Universe 2026 amid franchise dispute
S’pore among 6 countries that may be barred from Miss Universe 2026 amid franchise dispute
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Featured image adapted from Annika Xue Sager on Instagram and Instagram, for illustration purposes only.