Meet Thailand’s New Miss Universe Big Boss
Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip has just snagged the Miss Universe franchise for $20 million. She’s the first woman to own the pageant, and the first trans‑female business mogul to step into the spotlight.
Why She’s Buying Miss Universe
In a nutshell, Anne is saying: “Let’s turn a beauty contest into a global stage that pumps empowerment and a ton of Thai buzz‑money.” Her reason? She wants to inspire a generation of women, LGBTQ folks, and anyone who’s ever felt ripped off by discrimination.
- Dream‑big platform – She calls the pageant a “universal platform” that can become a beacon for countless people.
- Talks of transformation – “We can transform pain into power,” she said, referring to her own battle with bullying and harassment.
- Life Inspired For Thailand Foundation – The nonprofit she ran is all about giving trans folks dignity and opportunity.
Tourism Tied Into the Fun
Anne sees Miss Universe as a megaphone for Thailand’s Five F‑Factors tourism strategy: fighting (Thai boxing), film, festival, fashion, and food. Thai tourism before COVID invited 40 million visitors in 2019, spending almost US$50 billion. She hopes the pageant can help stir a similar frenzy.
“It’s almost a billion people watching the event, and – guess what – owned by a Thai transwoman. That’s 100 % Thai pride. Why not bring the world straight to Thailand?” – Anne
Wanna See Thailand as the Host?
She’d love to hold Miss Universe every three to four years. With tourism money flowing in from the pageant, the move could be a major boost for the Thai economy.
What’s Next for Miss Universe
Beyond the usual crowning, Anne plans to expand the brand through:
- Licensing & Merchandising – Think cosmetics, fashion lines, and even branded beverages.
- JKN Group Synergy – Connect Miss Universe to her existing restaurant, hotel, spa, and property ventures.
- Potential property development projects that could feature the pageant’s theme.
Shortly after the sale, JKN shares jumped 25 percent, proving investors are pumped about the bold move.
Bottom Line
With a fresh, bold owner at the helm, Miss Universe is gearing up to be more than a crown‑contest. It’s set to be a vehicle for empowerment, tourism, and an exciting new chapter for Thailand’s cultural exports. Stay tuned – the international stage just got a whole lot more colorful.!
