Thai transgender businesswoman buys Miss Universe pageant for $20 million
Michelle De Pacina
Wed, 26 October 2022 at 11:24 pm
A Thai transgender businesswoman has acquired the Miss Universe pageant for $20 million.
Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the CEO and biggest shareholder of JKN Global Group, sealed the deal with IMG Worldwide, her company announced on Wednesday.
Jakrajutatip, who is a celebrity media tycoon and a transgender rights advocate, made history by becoming the first woman to own the beauty pageant organizer.
“We are incredibly honored to be acquiring The Miss Universe Organization and working with its visionary leadership team,” Jakrajutatip reportedly said in a statement on Wednesday. “The global reach of the Organization, its relationships with global partners and brands, and its wealth of content, licensing, and merchandising opportunities make this a strong, strategic addition to our portfolio.”
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“We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation,” she added.
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The Thai mogul, who has been outspoken about her experience as a transgender woman, previously set up the Life Inspired For Thailand Foundation as a way to advocate for the rights of transgender people.
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The JKN Global Group, which distributes self-produced and international films and TV programs, views the acquisition as “a soft power to build a reputation for Thailand to be known and outstanding around the world.”
The beauty pageant, which has been running for 71 years, was previously co-owned by Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002 before IMG acquired it in 2015.
The organization will be holding its 71st Miss Universe pageant in January 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It will be broadcasted in 165 countries.
Thai transgender businesswoman buys Miss Universe pageant for US$20 million
- Jakapong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip, the CEO and biggest shareholder of JKN Global Group, is a media tycoon and transgender rights advocate
- The acquisition, with its content, licensing and merchandising opportunities, is ‘a strong, strategic addition to our portfolio’, she said
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Published: 7:06pm, 26 Oct, 2022
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Thailand’s Anne Jakrajutatip has bought the the Miss Universe Organisation. Photo: Facebook
A Thai celebrity media tycoon and transgender rights advocate has bought the Miss Universe Organisation for US$20 million, marking the first time the beauty pageant organiser will be owned by a woman, her company said on Wednesday.
Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the CEO and biggest shareholder of JKN Global Group (JKN), is a celebrity in Thailand, starring in local versions of reality shows Project Runway and Shark Tank.
She has been outspoken about her experience as a transgender woman and also set up the Life Inspired For Thailand Foundation to advocate for the rights to dignity and opportunities for transgender people.
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The acquisition is “a strong, strategic addition to our portfolio,” said Jakapong, adding that Miss Universe, with its content, licensing and merchandising opportunities, plans to expand in Asia.JKN produces its own shows and distributes content in Thailand from abroad including documentaries and Bollywood dramas. Its shares jumped nearly 10 per cent in early trade on Wednesday.
The annual beauty contest run by the Miss Universe Organisation, which was co-owned by Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002, is broadcast in 165 countries and has been running for 71 years.
Anne Jakrajutatip is a celebrity in Thailand, starring in reality shows Project Runway and Shark Tank. Photo: Facebook/Meta
Last year Miss Universe crowned its 70th winner: Miss India Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, who ended the country’s 21-year-crown-drought at the international competition. She wore a silver gown with beaded embellishment and plunging neckline as her finale ensemble. The dress was designed by Indian designer Saisha Shinde – who came out as a transwoman in 2021.
Last year’s Miss Universe Thailand title carried an empowering message of “#realsizebeauty” which cast a spotlight on changing standards in a country where a smaller frame has long been seen as the ideal for women.
Anchilee Scott-Kemmis impressed the beauty pageant judges with her video presentation for the selection round, which saw the 22-year-old open up about past rejections she had experienced as a model in Thailand because of her size.
