4 former Miss Universe title-holders joined reigning queen, India’s Harnaaz Sandhu, to have a good time the wonder pageant’s new proprietor Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip at an occasion in Bangkok on Monday.
Jakrajutatip, chief government of Thai media and content material firm JKN International Group, acquired the Miss Universe Organisation from IMG, making her the primary girl to personal the corporate in its 70-year historical past.
Scroll by way of the gallery above for extra photos from the Miss Universe occasion in Bangkok
Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova of Canada, Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes of Angola, Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza of Mexico and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Grey of the Philippines shared the stage with Miss Universe 2021 Sandhu and Jakrajutatip on the gala occasion on the Siam Pavalai Royal Grand Theatre.
Reigning Miss Universe Thailand Anna Sueangam-iam and Miss Universe Spain 2018 Angela Ponce have been additionally on the occasion together with Miss Universe president Paula Shugart and chief government Amy Emmerich.
Following its acquisition of the pageant, JKN, which owns a portfolio of broadcast and media titles, stated the deal will construct on the competition’s legacy and additional its dedication to inclusivity. There are additionally plans to develop the Miss Universe model, together with the launch of MU Way of life, a brand new licensing and merchandising arm.
“We’re extremely honoured to be buying the Miss Universe Organisation and dealing with its visionary management group,” Jakrajutatip stated. “We search not solely to proceed its legacy of offering a platform to passionate people from various backgrounds, cultures and traditions, but additionally to evolve the model for the subsequent era.”
Miss Universe made history in August when it introduced it was making one of many largest modifications to its choice course of. Beginning subsequent 12 months, the annual competitors will settle for married ladies and moms. Beforehand, solely single ladies, aged between 18 and 28, who’ve by no means been married or had kids have been allowed to use.
The brand new guidelines is not going to be in place for the 71st Miss Universe, which has been postponed to January 14, as preliminary pageants have already taken place. New Orleans will host the occasion.
“There isn’t a place like New Orleans. This vibrant metropolis has been on the high of our listing to host for fairly a while because of its wealthy cultural historical past, in addition to its distinctive arts, leisure, and culinary scene,” stated Shugart. “I sit up for our delegates from all around the world attending to expertise all it has to supply.”
The brand new date additionally means two Miss Universe pageants are prone to be held subsequent 12 months — the primary in January to crown the 2022 winner and the second later within the 12 months to crown Miss Universe 2023.
The announcement additionally successfully extends the reign of present Miss Universe Sandhu. However the longest-reigning Miss Universe is Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa, who gained the tile in 2019.
Tunzi held her title for 525 days after the 2020 pageant was cancelled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. She topped her successor Andrea Meza from Mexico in Could 2021, in flip making Meza’s the shortest reign in historical past. Meza handed on her crown to Sandhu at a pageant in Israel in December final 12 months after solely 211 days.
The variety of nations taking part within the pageant modifications yearly. On the Miss Universe 2021 pageant, 80 nations took half, together with first-time contestant Miss Universe Bahrain Manar Nadeem Deyani.
For Miss Universe 2022, organisers predict near 90 nations to take part. A last quantity will likely be revealed earlier than the pageant.
Scroll by way of the gallery under for all of the Miss Universe 2022 contestants crowned so far
Up to date: November 10, 2022, 9:54 AM