CNN —
A Thai media tycoon and transgender rights advocate has bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million, according to her company, which will now host the international beauty pageant.
Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is the CEO of JKN Global Group PCL, a Thailand-based media distribution company, though she’s perhaps better known for her role in Thai versions of reality shows including “Project Runway.”
She has also been outspoken about her experiences as a transgender woman, and has worked in advocacy for transgender rights in Thailand.
JKN Global Group announced the takeover on Wednesday, saying in a news release it planned to grow the Miss Universe Organization by expanding in Asia – and releasing new merchandise including skin care, cosmetics, lifestyle products, dietary supplements and drinks.
Jakkaphong said the company was “incredibly honored” to make the acquisition.
“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,” she said.
In a joint statement, the CEO and president of the Miss Universe Organization said they were “excited to continue the evolution of the Miss Universe Organization with JKN.”
“Our progressive approach continues to position us at the forefront of our industry,” they said.
The purchase makes Jakkaphong the first woman owner of the Miss Universe Organization, according to the JKN news release.
The Miss Universe beauty contest, one of the world’s most-watched pageants, has been running since 1952.
Like many other major pageants, it has had to reckon with growing public demand for greater diversity, representation and inclusivity over the past decade. It only lifted its ban on transgender contestants in 2012, after a Canadian competitor threatened legal action when told she would be disqualified due to her assigned sex at birth.
And though some critics argue the premise of a beauty pageant is inherently flawed, others say there has been significant progress in recent years.
Beauty pageants for transgender contestants have risen in prominence, most notably Miss International Queen, launched in 2004 and held this year in Thailand. Some countries have launched their own versions; in 2017, India held its first-ever Miss Transqueen India pageant, which aims to celebrate gender fluidity and raise visibility for India’s transgender community.
And in 2019, the winners of five major pageants – Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA – were all women of color, a remarkable milestone given black women weren’t allowed to compete in Miss America until the 1940s, and the first black contestant didn’t take that stage until 30 years later.
Published August 18, 2022
Updated 7:14AM
EILAT, ISRAEL - DECEMBER 12: Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu of India is crowned by Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza of Mexico at the 70th Miss Universe Competition on December 12, 2021 in Eilat, Israel. [Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images]
The Miss Universe organization is updating its rules that will expand the pool of eligible women for the decades-old pageant.
Beginning with the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, which will be held in 2023, married women and mothers will now be allowed to compete, organizers confirmed to FOX Television Stations.
The previous rules have stated that contestants may not be married or pregnant and are required to remain single throughout their reign. The age bracket for the pageant, those between 18 and 28, will remain the same, a source close to the organization confirmed to Insider.
Andrea Meza, who was crowned Miss Universe 2020 while representing Mexico, welcomed the new rule change.
"I honestly love that this is happening," Meza told Insider. "Just like society changes and women are now occupying leadership positions where in the past only men could, it was about time pageants changed and opened up to women with families."
Miss Mexico Andrea Meza is crowned Miss Universe 2020 onstage at the 69th Miss Universe competition at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 16, 2021, in Hollywood, Florida. [Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images]
"There are a lot of women that got married young or had kids in their early 20s and they always wanted to participate in Miss Universe but couldn't because of the rules," Meza continued. "Now those women can start or boost their careers in entertainment because of these changes."
Contestants from about 80 countries compete each year for the title of Miss Universe, which is run by an organization of the same name. The first pageant was held in 1952 in Long Beach, California, and won by Armi Kuusela of Finland. Kuusela relinquished her crown to get married shortly before her reign was completed.
FILE - Miss Universe 1953, Armi Kuusela [Miss Finland] surrounded by her vice misses: [from left to right] Miss Hong-Kong Judy Dan, Miss Hawai Elsa Edsman, Miss Germany Renata Hoy and Miss Greece Daisy Mavraki, in Long Beach, California, on June 29,
For contestants to make it to the Miss Universe pageant, there are a series of steps women must achieve. First, they must win their official state pageant to qualify for the Miss USA pageant.
Then, the winner of Miss USA goes on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant.
Miss Nevada Kataluna Enriquez 1st transgender woman vying for Miss USA
Kataluna Enriquez is the first transgender woman to win the Miss Nevada title.
The Miss Universe Organization, which was owned by former President Donald Trump at one point, is currently owned by talent agency and entertainment company WME/IMG.
Meza, in her recent interview with Insider, called the former eligibility rules for the pageant "sexist" and "unrealistic."
"A few people are against these changes because they always wanted to see a single beautiful woman who is available for a relationship," the 28-year-old told the outlet. "They always wanted to see a woman that from the outside looks so perfect that she's almost unreachable. The former is sexist and the latter is unrealistic."
Meza went on to note that the duties of Miss Universe throughout the year can be demanding, but that doesn’t mean mothers and wives should not be allowed to compete.
"Just like in any other industry, women are capable of having demanding leadership positions without or with a family, it is no different in this case," she said.
Miss Universe 2021: Harnaaz Sandhu of India crowned as 70th winner
This story was reported from Cincinnati.