Ms. Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, owner of JKN Global Group, a Thai outfit that host television shows, has purchased Miss Universe Beauty Pageants for $20m (£17.1m). Project Runway and Shark Tank are two prominent reality shows she has starred in.
The company Jakrajutatip acquired was once co-owned by Donald Trump from 1996 to 2015 has now become more inclusive in its pageantry. Trump sold the company after two television partners said they would not broadcast the pageant over Trump’s blatant comments about illegal immigrants on his 2016 presidential campaign. He was also criticised when former Miss Universe Alicia Machado claimed Mr. Trump called her “Miss Piggy”.
The remarks were made when Alicia put on weight after winning the contest in 1996.
Following the sale of the company to a US talent agency WME-IMG in 2015, Trump remarked that, “When I purchased the pageants many years ago, they were in serious trouble”.
Ms. Jakrajutatip has been outspoken about her experiences as a transgender woman. She said in a statement that the Miss Universe Organization was a “strong, strategic addition” to her company’s portfolio.
She continues, “We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation”.
CEO of Miss Universe Organization, Amy Emmerich and President, Paula Shugart, stated that, “Our relationships with global partners and brands have never been stronger, and our progressive approach continues to position us at the forefront of our industry”.
Diversity & Inclusion
Ms. Jakrajutatip’s purchase came as the Miss Universe pageant moved towards being more inclusive. Only women who had never been married and had no children were previously eligible to participate in the competition. Such restrictions would no longer apply going forward. The pageant has been held annually for 71 years and is broadcast in more than 160 countries.
“It has been a great honour making them so successful. The pageants are now in the hands of a great company that will shepherd them to even greater levels of success.”
SUPPORT NIGERIAN CANADIAN NEWS
If you like our work and want to keep enjoying what we offer, kindly support us by donating to the Nigerian Canadian News through the button below
Share your thoughts in the comments section below
Do you want to share any news or information with us? If yes, contact the publisher at publisher@test1.nascitest.club
