JE C.C.
Upon the announcement that Thai-based JKN Global has acquired ownership of Miss Universe from American holding company Endeavor (IMG), social media exploded.
It has been a mystery to netizens why the Miss Universe organization was taken over by the Thai business magnate, Anne Jakkapong Jakrajutatip.
This is in contrast to the Filipino kingpin, Chavit Singson. Part of the confusion is due to previous reports that the businessman and politician were in talks to take over the organization. According to rumors, the property was on the market in September.
Singson notably announced in 2019 that he bought the local franchise of the global beauty pageant, but it ultimately went to Empire Philippines Holdings, Inc.
Speculations that Singson was vying to take ownership of the organization, are fueled by his close link with the pageant. In 2016, he was among the most prominent figures who helped the country win its bid to host the competition. Through the years, he has been among the big personalities whose name gets constantly associated with the local version of the pageant. Just early this year, he was greatly involved in the welcoming of the current Miss Universe, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu.
With Thailand’s JKN Global at the helm, local pageant fans are concerned that the Philippines will no longer compete in future editions of the competition.
“Pa THAI na tayo dyan, “ said one netizen, albeit jokingly.
Pa THAI na tayo dyan https://t.co/t9J1MGPQ3t
— Chris (@scraptomillions) October 26, 2022
“Goodbye PH’s longest-running semifinal placement streak,” said Cedric, noting the still unbroken streak of the country’s Top 20 placement in the competition.
https://twitter.com/simounmockinjay/status/1585184278354481154
“PH NO MORE. CELESTE MAG MISS WORLD NLANG TAYO OPO, “ tweeted @idumanzo, who seems to suggest Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi now has a slim chance of winning the crown.
PH NO MORE. CELESTE MAG MISS WORLD NLANG TAYO OPO. https://t.co/YDrPw8Bieo
— idumanzo (@idumanzo) October 26, 2022
“Congrats in advance sa kanilang future back-to-back win, “ said @VMariners in jest
Congrats in advance sa kanilang future back to back win 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/Z7R2S0fjid
— VaWong (@VMariners) October 26, 2022
@BriansAndBeauty meanwhile, expressed his disappointment for Chavit Singson. “CHAVIT SINGSON WE WERE ROOTING FOR YOU WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU, “ his tweet reads.
CHAVIT SINGSON WE WERE ROOTING FOR YOU WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU https://t.co/zI1T8VRnRX
— BKVP (@BriansAndBeauty) October 26, 2022
@tino_lucky also expressed through a tweet that Filipinos have mixed emotions about this turn of events.
Miss Universe Org is now owned by JKN a Thai media conglomerate.
What happened Chavit?
Latinas are not happy
Thais are jubilant
Is this good for Asian candidates?
Europeans don’t give a shite.
Filipinos have mixed reactions. Will this end the winning streak? pic.twitter.com/3l5L4zl4YA
— Martin SNORT (@tino_lucky) October 26, 2022
New Orleans, U.S.A., will host the next Miss Universe competition sometime in January of next year. Management has yet to announce the exact date. It will be interesting to see how this new development will affect Filipino pageant queens’ chances at Miss Universe.
