Miss Universe Organization says Anne Jakrajutatip stays as CEO

Miss Universe organization CEO Anne Jakrajutatip (left) and president Raul Rocha. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe

The international pageant world was rocked by news that Miss Universe co-owner and Chief Executive Officer Anne Jakrajutatip has resigned from her posts in JKN Global Group, with many speculating that her role in the global pageant would come next.

But the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) refuted such claims and said that the Thai personality will keep her position amid her controversy in the Thai business scene.

“We categorically deny any reports suggesting a change in leadership within the organization. [Jakrajutatip] remains the [CEO] of [MUO], and Raul Rocha continues to serve as President,” the organization said in a statement dated June 6.

Speculations that she would also step down from MUO arose after JKN Global Group reported that Jakrajutatip had resigned as managing director ang CEO on June 5, after the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a complaint against her.

“On June 5, 2025, the SEC filed a formal complaint with [the Department of Special Investigation] against JKN. The SEC alleges that the three parties jointly committed or allowed the inclusion of false information and/or failed to properly and accurately maintain the company’s financial records,” Thai media platform The Nation reported on Friday, June 6.

The Thai regulatory agency’s action stemmed from JKN Global Group’s misleading report to the SEC about the sale of stakes in the MUO to Mexican magnate Raul Rocha, through his Legacy Holdings Group.

In April, the SEC imposed fines amounting to 4.1 million baht (roughly P7 million) on Jakrajutatip and JKN Global Group, and prevented them from assuming directorships or holding executive positions in publicly listed companies for “56 months,” or four years and eight months.

But the MUO clarified that any reports suggesting any shakeup in leadership resulting from the Thai SEC complaint on JKN Global Group were unfounded

“These rumors are entirely false and do not reflect the internal operations or direction of our organization,” MUO said.

“Under the continued leadership of [Jakrajutatip] and [Rocha], [MUO] remains committed to its mission of empowering women worldwide and producing a global platform for voices of ambition, purpose, and change,” continued the statement.

“We encourage the public and media partners to refer exclusively to our verified and official communication channels for accurate information,” MUO added.

Jakrajutatip bought MUO from WME-IMG in October 2022 for $20 million, becoming the first non-American and first woman to own the international pageant organization.

She later sold half of her stake in MUO to Rocha through his Legacy Holdings Group before the 73rd edition of Miss Universe was held last year.

The 74th Miss Universe pageant will be held in Thailand in November, with more than 100 delegates expected to participate. Ahtisa Manalo will represent the Philippines in the competition.  /ra