Miss Universe 2026: 6 Southeast Asian nations will not participate
MANILA, Philippines — Six countries from Southeast Asia will not be present at the 75th Miss Universe competition next month in Puerto Rico.
The development stems from warring factions among executives of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and Miss Universe East (MU East) chief Nawat Itsaragrisil.
Nawat is a Thai beauty entrepreneur who also heads several national Miss Universe franchises, as well as the Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant based in his native country.
MUO and Nawat in recent months have been at odds over publicizing information and whether the latter has the authority to speak on matters involving the organization.
As a result, MUO announced last month that it will not recognize any national franchise agreement done without a legal licensing framework, for they are unauthorized and void.
The nations affected by this are the franchises in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore, though MU East previously indicated it would back the six countries' participation in the diamond edition of Miss Universe.
Laos and Indonesia have not yet selected a delegate for Miss Universe 2026, while the other four have:
- Thailand - Tharina Botes
- Vietnam - Nguyen Quynh Anh
- Singapore - Vion Tan
- Malaysia - Eunice Wong
MGI, however, released a statement saying "it is no longer possible to send the six representatives to participate in the 75th Miss Universe under conditions that adequately protect their status, dignity, safety, and equal treatment."
The organization reiterated its support for the six national franchises and their delegates but clarified that their non-participation in Miss Universe 2026 is not to be taken as voluntary withdrawal, abandonment of franchise rights, or acceptance of the position asserted on them.
The six women chosen by each country will continue their duties and responsibilities as national titlists, "using their platforms to create positive social impact, represent their communities, inspire others, and promote the values for which they were selected."
MGI doubled down on standing firmly behind the six representatives, thanking their respective national directors and pageant communities.
Amid all this, Bea Millan-Windorski will represent the Philippines at the November competition as she vies to succeed Mexico's Fatima Bosch and bring home the country's fifth Miss Universe title.
