The Miss Universe pageant is drowning in scandal just days after its glittering finale, and the accusations are explosive.
The co-owners of the global beauty contest, based in Mexico and Thailand, are now battling allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, and illegal arms dealings.
This year’s competition ended in Thailand with Miss Mexico taking the crown after a drama-filled public clash with the host.
But things spiraled when a Thai court issued an arrest warrant for Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, media mogul and co-owner, over an alleged $930,000 investment fraud.
A plastic surgeon accused her of concealing critical financial information to lure him into investing in JKN Global Group, which owns part of the pageant.
On the same day, Mexico’s federal prosecutor announced that co-owner Raul Rocha Cantu is under investigation for drugs, weapons, and fuel trafficking.
Authorities say they’ve issued 13 arrest warrants, though names weren’t released, but Mexican media report Rocha is among them.
Local outlets also accuse him of shady links to the father of the newly crowned Miss Universe, Fatima Bosch, allegations denied by her father, a senior Pemex executive.
The drama deepened when Bosch led a walkout after the Thai director of the pageant publicly insulted her, calling her a “dumbhead” for not posting enough promotional content.
Bosch received massive public support, including praise from Mexico’s first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum.
The 25-year-old later revealed she had received threats and attacks following the allegations about her father.
Miss Universe, once owned by Donald Trump, was purchased by Jakapong’s JKN Global Group for $20 million in 2022 before half was sold to Rocha’s Legacy Holding Group for $16 million.

AFP