Miss Universe Indonesia 2026 License Invalid Amid Internal Dispute, Organization Claims

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is embroiled in an internal dispute that has now implicated Indonesia. In a recent statement, JKN Universe LLC, part of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), declared that the franchise arrangements for Miss Universe Indonesia 2026 are invalid. This statement has directly impacted the eligibility status of Indonesia's representative for the 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico in November. In a document released on Friday (September 18, 2026), JKN Universe LLC indicated that several national franchise arrangements made by Miss Universe Eastern Pte. Ltd. and entities associated with Nawat Itsaragrisil were not conducted within the framework of a valid license. Six countries were mentioned as being affected: Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore. For Indonesia, the franchise arrangement in question is for the year 2026. The implication is that Indonesia and other countries under Nawat's purview are at risk of not being able to participate in this year's Miss Universe competition. "JKN Universe LLC does not recognize the national franchise arrangements in question for Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore, as these arrangements were not authorized under a valid Franchise License Agreement or other legal instruments with JKN Universe LLC," the Miss Universe Organization stated in its official release. "JKN Universe LLC wishes to inform that contestants representing these countries will not be eligible to participate in the 75th Miss Universe Competition," the MUO added. Nawat Itsaragrisil's name has emerged as a key figure in this conflict. Nawat is a businessman and pageant figure from Thailand, known as the founder and President of Miss Grand International. He is also the individual who manages a number of Miss Universe franchises in the Southeast Asian region. At the end of July 2026, the Miss Universe Organization even announced Nawat as the CEO of Miss Universe Eastern (MU East), an entity responsible for Miss Universe operations in 95 eastern territories. However, the latest statement presents a different narrative. On September 8, 2026, MUO issued a statement clarifying that Nawat does not hold any position as an employee, executive, corporate officer, operational part, or legal representative within the organization. "Nawat Itsaragrisil does not have the mandate or authority to represent the Organization," the Miss Universe Organization wrote. Previously, the Thai national claimed to hold the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Miss Universe Eastern (MU East), a faction that is part of the Miss Universe Organization's 50:50 structure and sides with Nawat in an internal conflict with MU West. However, this claim of authority is now refuted by the Miss Universe Organization on its official Instagram, stating that Nawat does not represent the organization as a whole. Structurally, JKN Universe LLC, which conducts business as the Miss Universe Organization, is owned through JKN Legacy Inc. with a 50:50 ownership split between two groups: MU East and MU West. Based on the applicable Territory Sharing Agreement, MU East handles franchise relations in the Eastern territories (Southeast Asia), while MU West is responsible for the Western territories. Within the MU East camp, Nawat Itsaragrisil serves as CEO of Miss Universe Eastern. Meanwhile, in the MU West camp, Ronald Day is listed as CEO of Miss Universe Americana LLC. Although this territorial division is stipulated in the agreement, the authority to make decisions concerning the overall governance of Miss Universe remains a source of contention between the two factions. Source: Detik