Arrest warrant for co-owner casts shadow over Miss Universe 2025

The glitz of Miss Universe 2025 has barely faded, yet the organization now finds itself shadowed by one of the most serious controversies in its history. Just days after Mexico’s Fatima Bosch was crowned in Bangkok, Thai authorities confirmed that an arrest warrant has been issued for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip — the media mogul whose JKN Global Group co-owns the Miss Universe Organization.

According to officials, the warrant stems from a high-stakes fraud case involving an alleged investment scheme gone wrong. A plastic surgeon, Raweewat Maschamadol, claims he was persuaded into purchasing JKN corporate bonds in 2023 under conditions that were not fully disclosed. His resulting loss totals 30 million baht (approximately $930,000).

In the court statement shared with AFP, the allegation is clear: “The defendant invited (the plaintiff) to invest knowing her inability to return the money within the appointed time.” The South Bangkok Civil Court was expected to deliver its verdict this week, but Jakrajutatip’s failure to appear prompted the issuance of the arrest warrant — an action the court said was justified because her behavior “could be interpreted as fleeing.”

The hearing is now rescheduled for December 26, though local reports claim Jakrajutatip may have already left Thailand for Mexico as financial troubles surrounding her company deepen.

JKN’s mounting crisis

The legal turbulence arrives at a time when JKN Global Group is already under intense scrutiny. The company defaulted on investor payments in 2023 and entered debt rehabilitation in 2024, declaring liabilities of about 3 billion baht ($93 million). That same year, the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted JKN securities after the company failed to submit financial statements and was found to have falsified them.

Jakrajutatip purchased Miss Universe from IMG for $20 million in 2022, hailing it as a symbol of global empowerment. But in 2023, she sold half of the organization to Mexican-owned Legacy Holding Group USA — led by businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú — for $16 million, signaling early signs of financial strain.

The Miss Universe Organization has distanced itself from the controversy, reiterating earlier this year that “these legal proceedings are entirely separate” from its operations.

A scandal-marked pageant season

The timing of the arrest warrant has only magnified the turbulence surrounding Miss Universe 2025. This year’s pageant was already marred by viral controversy after a male host publicly berated eventual winner Fatima Bosch during a livestream, accusing her of not posting promotional content and allegedly calling her “dumb.”

Bosch’s calm but firm response led to a contestant walk-out that drew international headlines — and even caught the attention of Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised the queen as “an example of how we women should speak out.” The host later issued a tearful apology.

What happens next?

The December 26 court date looms large for Jakrajutatip, whose global profile and corporate empire now stand on unstable ground. For Miss Universe, the challenge is maintaining its reputation as a platform of empowerment and integrity while its leadership faces increasing legal and financial scrutiny.

As the world celebrates another year of beauty, culture, and global sisterhood, the organization must now navigate an unfolding crisis — one that could redefine the very future of the pageant.