The Miss Universe pageant represents more than international beauty. Considered an outdated pageant by some critics, the pageant owner Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, a transgender businesswoman who purchased the organization for $20,000,000 laster year, took to the stage to share its new direction — a focus on female leaders who support philanthropic causes and advocate for women’s empowerment.
“I was not accepted by society because they did not want to embrace my differences,” Jakrajutatip said tonight onstage in New Orleans, Louisiana, referring to her identity as a transwoman. “I chose not to surrender. I turned pain into power and turned life lessons into wisdom. On this stage called the Miss Universe competition, we can elevate our women to feel strong enough, good enough and qualified enough and never be objectified again.”
Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization, speaks onstage to present the ImpactWayv Challenge Award during the final round of the 71st Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. CREDIT: AP
She promised under her helm, the pageant will have the “transformational leadership in order to enhance the organization’s longstanding heritage.” Mothers and married women are now allowed to compete.
The Thai entrepreneur owns JKN Global Group Public Limited, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, CNBC Thailand and JKN18 TV.
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Jakrajutatip wore an embellished ivory dress with rhinestones, sequins and a delicate cape. She completed the look with mirrored gold platform heels.
The pageant owner presented Miss Thailand Anna Sueangam-iam with the ImpactWayy Leadership Award, which is a fan-voted social media competition.
Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, left, new owner of the Miss Universe Organization, presents the ImpactWayv Challenge Award to Miss Thailand Anna Sueangam-iam during the final round of the 71st Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. CREDIT: AP
The 2023 Miss Universe pageant celebrates international beauty, as well as a range of humanitarian causes from its contestants. Held on Jan. 14 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The event calls upon contestants from at least 80 countries to compete for this year’s crown: a diamond and blue sapphire creation by Mouawad Jewelry, titled “Force for Good.” The crown will be bestowed upon the 2023 winner by the 2022 Miss Universe winner Harnaaz Sandhu of India.
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