Last Updated: November 17, 2023, 14:07 IST
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, JKN Chief Executive Officer speaks during an interview with Reuters in Bangkok, Thailand, October 27, 2022. (Reuters)
Miss Universe judge claims outrage over transwoman contestant caused bankruptcy. Emily Austin deems it “morally wrong” on Fox News
A 2022 Miss Universe judge has claimed that the recent uproar over transgender contestants is what led to the pageant’s bankruptcy. This criticism comes as Miss Universe faces financial turmoil amid a heated debate over the participation of transgender contestants.
Judge Emily Austin, who is also a television host, believes that the inclusion of transgender women is “morally wrong” in beauty pageants. “I think the outrage about a trans woman coming to Miss Universe and preaching, ‘Bring the power back to women,’ couldn’t be more of an oxymoron,” she was quoted as saying during a Fox News show on Thursday. “I think her company in Thailand has its own financial issues,” she continued, “but socially and morally it’s just wrong. And people are starting to catch on that.”
Thai media tycoon Anne Jakrajutatip acquired rights for $20 million in 2022. Jakrajutatip, a trans billionaire, has defended her ownership of Miss Universe, emphasising its importance as her “first priority in life.” JKN Global Group, Jakrajutatip’s company, remains optimistic about the Miss Universe event despite filing for bankruptcy.
Despite financial challenges reflected in JKN’s decline in share price, the company asserts that the Miss Universe Organization, is one of its main business lines. In a statement, JKN said that its board of directors agreed on November 7 to submit a business rehabilitation plan to the Thai bankruptcy court. “Submitting the rehabilitation petition will effectively solve the Company’s liquidity problem under legal mechanism and provide fair protection to all stakeholders,” the statement said.
The Miss Universe Organization has officially announced that, despite facing financial challenges, the Miss Universe 2023 pageant is scheduled to take place in El Salvador on November 18. In a statement, they acknowledged the “current financial situation” but affirmed their commitment to delivering a top-notch experience for fans.
Notably, this year’s Miss Universe pageant will mark a historic moment with the inclusion of at least two transgender contestants, Miss Portugal, a flight attendant named Marina Machete, and Rikkie Kollé, who holds the distinction of being the first transgender Miss Netherlands. While Spain’s Ángela Ponce paved the way as the pageant’s inaugural transgender contestant in 2018, she did not advance to the finals.
