JKN Universe bars Southeast Asian Miss Universe delegates

JKN Universe LLC has declared that delegates from Thailand and five other Southeast Asian nations—Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore—are ineligible for the 2026 Miss Universe pageant. The company, which holds the brand’s legal ownership, claims that franchise and licensing agreements issued by Miss Universe Eastern Pte. Ltd. are invalid and unauthorized.

The dispute centers on the legal authority to grant national licenses. JKN Universe asserts that Miss Universe Eastern lacked the right to transfer these licenses, specifically rejecting Thailand’s contract intended to cover the 2025 to 2029 pageant seasons. While Miss Universe Thailand has rejected these claims, JKN has threatened legal action regarding brand misuse and financial rumors.