National pageant organisers in Southeast Asia are continuing to select their Miss Universe candidates despite a dispute that could prevent them from competing in the forthcoming international contest.
Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore are all pressing ahead with their national competitions, while Thailand has already crowned its representative, despite a warning that contestants from six south-east Asian countries could be barred from the 75th Miss Universe in Puerto Rico.
The row began after JKN Universe, the company that holds the Miss Universe brand and its licensing rights, said it would not recognise franchise agreements covering Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore.
It said that the agreements had been made without its authorisation and that contestants selected through them would therefore not be eligible to compete.
The announcement was immediately challenged by MU East, one of the two groups that jointly owns the Miss Universe business.
Under an agreement signed last year, MU East is responsible for the brand’s operations across 95 eastern territories and has the right to appoint national franchise partners in those markets.
Its operating company, Miss Universe Eastern, is run by Thai pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil.
MU East said it had “not reviewed or approved” the statement declaring the six franchise agreements invalid, argued that decisions affecting the wider Miss Universe organisation require the agreement of both ownership groups and said the six contestants should be allowed to compete.
At a press conference, Itsaragrisil said that the contestants from the six disputed countries are “definitely going” to Puerto Rico, despite JKN Universe’s announcement.
However, the uncertainty has not stopped the national competitions.
In Vietnam, organisers said the international dispute would not affect the national competition set for 2 October in Hai Phong.
“Miss Universe Vietnam 2026 continues to focus on finding a worthy new Miss Universe, continuing the journey and maintaining the value of the Miss Universe Vietnam title,” the organising committee said in a statement, according to VTC News.
It added that questions over international licensing rights and agreements were a matter for the organisations involved and outside its decision-making remit. The dispute, it added, would not change the competition’s plans in Vietnam.
Thirteen finalists have already been selected for Miss Universe Malaysia 2026, with two more contestants still to be announced. Pageant week begins on 29 September, followed by the preliminary competition on 30 September and the final on 2 October.
The competition has also widened its eligibility rules this year, allowing women aged between 21 and 50 to enter. National director Ayu Omar said: “This inclusive approach reflects our belief that true beauty is not measured solely by age or physical appearance but is also reflected in maturity, inner strength and the ability to inspire society.”
Auditions for Miss Universe Singapore 2026 were held on 20 and 21 September, seeing around 50 candidates, with another walk-in audition scheduled for 28 September. The national final will take place on 13 October.
National director Sean Wong told The Straits Times that he remained confident Singapore's eventual representative would reach the international pageant. His concern, he said, was not only whether she would be allowed to compete but whether she would be fairly treated if the dispute remained unresolved.
“I asked them, ‘How would you handle it if people say that you are not qualified to take part?’” Wong said.
Thailand has already selected its contestant. Tharina Botes, representing Bangkok, won Miss Universe Thailand 2026 on 23 August and is due to represent the country at the international pageant.
The 75th Miss Universe is scheduled to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 24 November.
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