WEBDESK - NAYADAUR
National pageant organisers across Southeast Asia are continuing to select representatives for Miss Universe 2026 despite an unresolved dispute between the two groups involved in the ownership and operation of the Miss Universe brand.
Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore are proceeding with their national competitions, while Thailand has already crowned its representative. The developments come after JKN Universe LLC said delegates from six Southeast Asian countries would not be eligible for the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico because of disputed franchise agreements.
The six affected countries are Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore.
JKN Universe, which owns the Miss Universe brand, said the franchise arrangements associated with Miss Universe Eastern Pte Ltd were not authorised by the company and therefore could not provide a valid route for the six national representatives to compete internationally.
MU East disputes exclusion
The announcement was challenged by MU East, one of the two groups involved in the Miss Universe ownership structure.
In a statement published by the Miss Universe organisation, MU East said JKN Universe LLC operates through a 50:50 ownership structure between MU East and MU West through JKN Legacy Inc. It said the statement declaring the six franchise arrangements invalid had not been reviewed or approved by MU East and did not represent an agreed position of both ownership groups.
MU East also cited the Hemisphere Agreement, under which it says it has exclusive rights to operate, promote and develop the Miss Universe brand in 95 eastern territories and to appoint franchise partners in those markets.
It maintains that the six selected delegates have contractual rights to compete and that their participation should not be affected by the dispute between the two ownership groups.
Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, who heads Miss Universe Eastern, has similarly insisted that the six delegates will travel to Puerto Rico and compete.
Vietnam presses ahead
The dispute has not halted preparations in Vietnam.
Miss Universe Vietnam is scheduled to hold its national competition on Oct. 2 in Hai Phong. Organisers have said the international dispute over licensing and franchise arrangements is outside the scope of the national competition and will not change their plans.
The Vietnamese organisers said their focus remained on selecting a representative and maintaining the value of the Miss Universe Vietnam title.
The country is among those whose representative could face uncertainty over participation in the international pageant if the dispute remains unresolved.
Malaysia expands eligibility
Miss Universe Malaysia 2026 has also continued preparations. Thirteen finalists have already been selected, with two additional contestants still expected to be announced.
The pageant's preliminary competition is scheduled for Sept. 30, with the final on Oct. 2.
Malaysia has also expanded its eligibility criteria this year, allowing women aged 21 to 50 to compete. National director Ayu Omar said the change was intended to emphasise qualities beyond age and physical appearance, including maturity, inner strength and the ability to inspire society.
Singapore remains confident
Singapore held auditions for its 2026 competition on Sept. 20 and 21, attracting around 50 candidates. Another walk-in audition is scheduled for Sept. 28, while the national final is set for Oct. 13.
National director Sean Wong told The Straits Times that he remained confident Singapore's eventual representative would reach the international competition in Puerto Rico.
However, Wong acknowledged concerns over how the dispute could affect the contestant if the question of eligibility remains unresolved.
The uncertainty means national contestants are preparing for an international competition whose participation rules are currently being disputed by the two sides of the Miss Universe ownership structure.
Thailand representative already selected
Thailand has already selected its representative, Tharina Botes, who was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2026 in August.
Nawat has repeatedly said she and representatives from the other five affected countries remain eligible to compete. MU East has likewise maintained that its contractual arrangements protect the delegates selected from its territories.
JKN Universe, however, continues to maintain that the relevant franchise agreements are invalid and that the six delegates are not eligible.
The 75th Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 24. The dispute leaves the six Southeast Asian representatives facing uncertainty unless the two sides reach an agreement or the underlying contractual and legal issues are resolved before the competition.
A dispute beyond the pageant
The disagreement has expanded beyond individual franchise agreements into a wider dispute over governance, territorial rights and authority within the Miss Universe organisation.
MU East has said disagreements between the ownership groups should be handled through the appropriate contractual and legal processes rather than through unilateral public statements.
For national organisers, however, preparations are continuing. Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore are still selecting their representatives, while Thailand's contestant is already preparing for the international stage — even as the question of whether all six will ultimately be permitted to compete remains unresolved.