Miss Universe pageant space is dealing with another controversy.
Days after Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch Fernández accepted her crown in the beauty pageant’s latest competition, Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip—whose company JKN Global Group co-owns the organization with Endeavor—has had a warrant issued for her arrest regarding a 2023 fraud case.
A Thailand court confirmed to The Independent Nov. 26 that a warrant had been issued for Jakrajutatip after she failed to make an appearance at a hearing in Bangkok South District Court Nov. 25 after being released on bail for the 2023 fraud charge. A statement from the court confirmed the Miss Universe co-owner did not communicate ahead of her absence, and was deemed a “flight risk.”
The court statement, per The Independent, noted that Jakrajutatip and her company had been sued by Raweewat Maschamadol after allegedly selling him corporate bonds. The plaintiff alleged that he had been defrauded out of over 30 million baht, equivalent to around $930,362.
Amid the legal proceedings, Jakrajutatip had stepped down from formal positions at JKN, although she remains the business’ largest shareholder. JKN denied in a statement Nov. 24 that she had fled the country, but did not immediately address the arrest warrant.
E! News has reached out to the Miss Universe organization as well as Jakrajutatip but has not yet heard back.
Jakrajutatip’s legal issue comes amid a troubling time for Miss Universe. On Nov. 24, fourth-runner up in the 2025 competition Olivia Yacé renounced her title of Miss Universe 2025 Africa & Oceania noting she must stay “true” to her values.
“Respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity—the strongest pillars that guide me,” Yacé wrote in a Nov. 24 Instagram post. “With a heart full of gratitude and profound respect, I hereby announce my resignation from the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, as well as from any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee.”
While Yacé expressed that she fulfilled her role despite great adversity, it was more important to her to lead by example to those who consider her a role model. As she put it, “It is this commitment to being a positive influence that guides my decision today.” (E! News had previously reached out to the Miss Universe organization regarding Yacé’s decision but did not hear back.)
Meanwhile, Fernández accepted her crown in the Miss Universe competition Nov. 21 shortly after she spoke out against pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisi for calling her “dumb” during the competition.
Despite the extremely public setback, Fernández held strong in her conviction.
“I just want to let my country know, I'm not afraid to make my voice heard,” she said during an interview translated from Spanish following the Nov. 5 incident. “It's here stronger than ever. I have a purpose. I have things to say.”