The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) rejected claims of a transfer of ownership in a statement released Saturday morning, 03 January 2026.
“The Miss Universe Organization remains under its current ownership and leadership,” the statement read.
It added that the organization is “actively reviewing these matters with its legal advisors and will take all appropriate and necessary steps to address and prevent further false, misleading, or unauthorized actions or statements.”
The MUO said the claims “appear to deceive the public, improperly solicit investments, and exploit the Miss Universe brand for personal benefit, visibility, or advantage.”
Earlier, Filipino politician and businessman Chavit Singson said he and his daughter, Congresswoman Richelle Singson, met with former Miss Universe Vice President Shawn McClain regarding their alleged acquisition of the pageant.
“We look forward to having discussions with the rightful owners, the creditors they defrauded,” Singson said in a Facebook post.
Singson also claimed that Anne Jakrajutatip and Raul Rocha are not the current owners of MUO. “In fact, they both have arrest warrants against them,” he said.
In November 2025, Thai tycoon Jakrajutatip reportedly faced arrest warrants following allegations of fraud, while Rocha was reportedly under investigation the following month for alleged involvement in drugs, arms, and fuel trafficking.
The organization has faced multiple controversies in the past year, including allegations of rigged results in the 74th edition of the pageant.