A fresh swirl of legal drama has drifted straight into the heart of the Miss Universe, and it reads like the plot twist no one would dare write into a pageant finale. Reports from France 24 and The Independent say the Bangkok South Civil Court has issued an arrest warrant for Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the high-profile businesswoman whose company, JKN Global Group, co-owns the Miss Universe Organization.
This legal saga began in 2024, when a plastic surgeon accused Jakrajutatip of fraud. According to the official court statement shared with Agence France-Presse, the allegation centers on claims that she persuaded the plaintiff to invest in her company while allegedly concealing that she wouldn’t be able to repay the money as promised.
The wording is blunt enough to cut through a sash: “The defendant invited the plaintiff to invest knowing her inability to return the money within the appointed time.”
Back in 2023, Jakrajutatip was formally charged and later released on bail. For a while, the case simmered quietly in the background. Then came the scheduled verdict day on November 26.
A Missed Court Appearance
The Bangkok South Civil Court said Jakrajutatip never informed them of her absence. That procedural misstep prompted the court to deem her a flight risk, triggering the arrest warrant.
Local media went a step further, reporting that she had left Thailand for Mexico. The timing adds a dramatic plot beat, as Mexico had just celebrated a major win at Miss Universe 2025 on November 20, when Fátima Bosch took home the crown at Impact Challenger Hall in Bangkok.
While the glitter was still settling from the coronation, headlines about the co-owner’s legal saga were already overtaking the sparkle.
The Money, the Verdict, and the New Date
The case in question involves roughly $930,000 worth of investment money. The verdict has now been pushed to December 26. Meanwhile, the Miss Universe Organization has tried to separate itself from the off-stage theatrics. Earlier this year, it stated that these legal proceedings are “entirely separate” from the organization. That’s corporate-speak for “we’re handling the tiaras, not the subpoenas.”
A Season of Controversy
This arrest warrant news arrives on the heels of several weeks of controversy surrounding the competition. Most recently, Fátima Bosch Fernández raised her voice against bullying.
Fátima didn’t speak as a beauty queen. She spoke as a woman. In her posts, she opened up about the insults, attacks, and even the death threats she received following her victory. “Today I want to raise my voice not as a beauty queen, but as a woman. A woman who, like millions around the world, has experienced firsthand the violence born from hatred, misinformation, and the inability of some to see a woman shine without feeling threatened," she wrote in Spanish.
Her words highlighted how sometimes violence shows up as digital hate. And she refused to let any of it silence her. “In the last few days I have received insults, attacks, and even death wishes for one single reason: because I won. Because a woman with dreams, preparation, and heart decided to stand up and fight for what she loves," she added. "Today I want to turn this experience into a message: violence against women doesn’t always appear in the form of blows. Sometimes it shows up in words, in digital hatred, in mockery, in campaigns meant to destroy our dignity.”
Her message also comes days after Lebanese composer, philanthropist, and former judge for Miss Universe 2025, Omar Harfouch, decided to step off the judging panel and step directly into global controversy. What began as a puzzled observation about an unfamiliar selection process quickly became one of the loudest allegations in modern pageant history. Harfouch first posted a message filled with what he described as confusion and concern. He said he learned from social media that an impromptu jury had reportedly gathered to select 30 semifinalists out of 120 contestants. Harfouch alleged that this unofficial group included individuals with potential conflicts of interest.