Singapore candidate and five others may be barred from Miss Universe 2026
Singapore’s representative at Miss Universe 2026 could be prevented from competing amid an ongoing dispute over franchise rights within the Miss Universe Organization.
JKN Universe, which holds the legal rights and licensing to the Miss Universe brand, said on 18 Sept that it does not recognise franchise agreements covering six Southeast Asian countries: Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Malaysia.
Source: Miss Universe on Facebook, for illustration purposes only
According to JKN Universe, delegates selected under these arrangements would therefore be ineligible to compete at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico on 24 Nov.
However, Miss Universe Eastern, or MU East, which oversees the brand across parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, disputes this position and maintains that the six countries’ franchises remain valid.
Miss Universe Organization says six countries’ franchises are invalid
JKN Universe is jointly owned by MU East and MU West, which oversee the promotion and development of the Miss Universe brand across their respective territories.
MU East, headed by Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, had appointed Singapore-based Miss Universe Eastern Pte Ltd to manage franchise arrangements across parts of Southeast Asia.
However, JKN Universe said Miss Universe Eastern did not have the authority to grant, transfer, or issue licences for the Miss Universe brand, adding that such authority rests with JKN Universe.
It therefore considers sponsorship agreements, franchise contracts, and national licences issued by Miss Universe Eastern to be invalid and legally non-binding.
JKN Universe also said it would not recognise franchise arrangements for Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore that were entered into through Mr Nawat or related entities.
Source: @nawat.tv on Instagram
Under JKN Universe’s position, delegates selected through these franchises would not be eligible for the Miss Universe 2026 competition in Puerto Rico.
MU East says countries’ franchises remain valid
MU East, however, has challenged JKN Universe’s position.
In a statement on 18 Sept, it said it had neither reviewed nor approved the announcement and argued that it therefore did not reflect the position of both owners of JKN Universe.
MU East also accused MU West of issuing an official position on Miss Universe Organization letterhead without its prior consent.
It pointed to the Hemisphere Agreement, which it says grants MU East exclusive rights to operate, promote, and develop the Miss Universe brand across 95 Eastern Territories.
Source: Miss Universe on Facebook, for illustration purposes only
On that basis, MU East maintains that it has the authority to appoint and manage franchise partners in those territories, including the six countries affected by the dispute.
It also said delegates selected from these territories should still be allowed to participate in the global competition.
The Hemisphere Agreement protects eligible delegates selected from MU East’s territories. Their participation should not be blocked, delayed or affected by a disagreement between MU East and MU West.
MU East added that agreements it considers valid under its territorial rights should not be cancelled “through a one-sided public statement”, arguing that any dispute should instead be resolved through the relevant contractual and legal processes.
Search for Miss Universe Singapore continues despite dispute
Despite the uncertainty, Miss Universe Singapore (MUS) is continuing its search for a representative for the 2026 competition.
Source: @annikaxuesager on Instagram
Online and in-person auditions were held on 20 and 21 Sept, drawing about 50 applicants.
MUS 2026 national director Sean Wong told The Straits Times that he remains confident Singapore’s eventual representative will be able to compete in Puerto Rico.
“Legal disputes are common between big brands,” he said, adding that he had reviewed the relevant contracts before taking on the role this year.
He also said that, based on the contractual and business structure in place, he believed Miss Universe Eastern had the authority to grant the Singapore franchise its rights.
While Mr Wong believes the dispute will be resolved, he said his greater concern is whether Singapore’s contestant would be “fairly featured or judged” if she reaches the international competition.
The situation also formed part of the audition process, with applicants asked how they would respond to questions about their eligibility.
The Miss Universe Singapore 2026 finals are scheduled to take place on 13 Oct at *SCAPE The Ground Theatre, ahead of the global Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico on 24 Nov.
Also read: Miss Universe organiser allegedly calls contestant ‘dumb’, prompts walkout at ceremony in Thailand
Miss Universe organiser allegedly calls contestant ‘dumb’, prompts walkout at ceremony in Thailand
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Featured image adapted from Miss Universe on Facebook, for illustration purposes only.
