Six Southeast Asian nations will not participate in the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico this November due to a licensing dispute between the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and Miss Universe Eastern. Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore are the affected countries, Wolipop reported.
Six ASEAN delegates withdraw from Puerto Rico
Miss Grand International (MGI), led by CEO Nawat Itsaragrisil, announced on October 21 that delegates from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos would not travel to the competition. MGI stated the decision follows consultations with national organizations and the representatives themselves, citing concerns over the contestants’ safety, dignity, and fair treatment under current conditions, according to Harianjogja.
The withdrawal leaves only three Southeast Asian countries—the Philippines and two others—represented at the event, CNBC Indonesia reported.
Did you know? The 75th Miss Universe event features three main competition nights at the José Miguel Agrelot Arena in San Juan, including the National Costume competition on November 21 and the final on November 24, according to Vietnam.vn.
Licensing dispute between MUO and Nawat Itsaragrisil
The conflict centers on franchise rights in Southeast Asia. JKN Universe, the brand owner of Miss Universe, claimed in September that franchise agreements for the six nations were invalid because Miss Universe Eastern lacked the authority to issue them, Wolipop reported.
Nawat Itsaragrisil, who leads Miss Universe Eastern and MGI, disputes this, insisting the agreements are legal. CNBC Indonesia reports that Nawat had previously claimed to oversee more than 90 countries for MUO as CEO of Miss Universe Eastern. However, MUO CEO Ronald Day stated that Nawat serves only as a national director, not an executive officer of the organization, according to Harianjogja.
The tension escalated following the Miss Universe 2025 event, when Nawat publicly criticized Fatima Bosch, the winner from Mexico. IDN Times reports that MUO CEO Raúl Rocha responded with a video condemning Nawat’s behavior and restricting his role within the organization.
Contestants withdraw over safety and dignity concerns
Vion Tan, representing Singapore, told 8days that she felt relief after the decision to withdraw. Tan stated that as the competition approached, she became increasingly worried about her safety and felt that she and other affected contestants were sidelined from official channels. Tan said that while she did not want to speculate on anyone’s intentions, she believed every woman who successfully gained the opportunity to represent her country deserved to be treated fairly, with respect and dignity.
Other delegates expressed similar sentiments. Euni Wong, Miss Universe Malaysia 2026, stated on social media that she would not go to a place where she felt “unaccepted,” according to Vietnam.vn. Tharina Botes, Miss Universe Thailand 2026, described the situation as a “new chapter” rather than the end of her story.
Industry Detail: Despite the absence from the international stage, MGI has affirmed that all six women retain their national titles and will continue their duties representing their respective countries, according to CNBC Indonesia.
Operational impact on the 75th competition
The dispute has resulted in a split of official digital assets. CNBC Indonesia reports that Nawat took control of MUO’s website and accounts on Facebook and X, while the Rocha-led MUO faction maintains control of the official Instagram account, the app, and a newly launched website.
The absence of these six nations is already visible in the competition’s digital infrastructure. Vietnam.vn notes that the online voting portal, which opened October 15 to determine automatic entry into the top 30, does not list representatives from the countries under Nawat’s license.
Competing Claims on Franchise Control
| Entity | Position on 6 ASEAN Licenses |
|---|---|
| MUO / JKN Universe | Agreements are invalid; Nawat is a national director, not an executive. |
| MGI / Miss Universe Eastern | Contractual rights are legally held by the company. |
Miss Universe 2026 participation questions
Will the six affected countries be eligible for Miss Universe 2027?
While there is no official MUO statement on future eligibility, Miss Universe Malaysia 2026 Euni Wong stated she is using the current time to prepare for the 2027 competition, according to Vietnam.vn.
Who currently holds the national titles for the absent countries?
Harianjogja identifies Tharina Botes as Miss Universe Thailand and Eunice Wong as Miss Universe Malaysia; both retain their titles despite not competing in Puerto Rico.
The current conflict follows a period of volatility in the organization’s leadership and franchise management that began during the 2025 cycle.