Anne Jakrajutatip faces exit from Miss Universe after leaving JKN Global
Anne Jakrajutatip | Photo from annejkn.official/instagram
NEW YORK CITY — Anne Jakrajutatip is expected to exit her role with the Miss Universe Organization following her resignation from all executive and board positions at JKN Global Group as she faces charges of financial fraud by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
While the Miss Universe Organization has not officially confirmed her departure as of June 6, multiple industry sources and international news outlets report that Jakrajutatip’s exit is imminent in the wake of the scandal.
JKN Global announced on June 6 that Jakrajutatip, along with her sister and fellow executive Pimauma Jakrajutatip, stepped down effective immediately, following SEC allegations of falsified financial statements and incomplete accounting records for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
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The SEC’s investigation alleges that JKN Global and its top executives fabricated accounting documents, including fake creditor and debtor accounts, resulting in inflated revenues and understated liabilities.
The charges have been referred to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for criminal proceedings, with authorities preparing to summon witnesses and suspects for further questioning, according to the SEC’s official statement.
Jakrajutatip’s anticipated departure from Miss Universe marks a dramatic fall for the celebrity entrepreneur, who made headlines in 2022 as the first transgender woman to acquire the Miss Universe Organization.
Anne Jakrajutatip with Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico. Photo by Elton Lugay
Under her leadership, JKN Global purchased the pageant for US $20 million, but the company soon faced mounting financial difficulties, including liquidity problems and missed debt repayments.
The SEC also flagged suspicious content licensing transactions, such as duplicate purchases and questionable orders, which further contributed to JKN’s financial woes. These irregularities led to a sharp increase in licensing assets that did not match actual revenue, raising concerns about the company’s business practices.
The criminal case against JKN Global and its former executives is ongoing, with the DSI overseeing the investigation and potential prosecution.
Inquirer.net USA reached out to the Miss Universe Organization and to Filipino American Olivia Quido-Co, Miss Universe Organization’s vice president for global partnerships, for comment but has yet to receive a response.
Amid these developments, the Miss Universe Organization continues to operate from its recently established headquarters at the WSA Building in Manhattan, New York City.
The office, which opened in February 2025, marks a return to the organization’s roots in New York and underscores its ambitions in global entertainment and talent management.
The organization is now co-owned by JKN Global Group and Mexico’s Legacy Holding, with Raul Rocha Cantú serving as president.
The 74th Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to be held in Thailand on November 21, 2025, with contestants participating in a month-long series of events across Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.
