SINGAPORE – Miss Universe Singapore Vion Erico Tan will not compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico on Nov 24, amid an ongoing franchise dispute. She is among six beauty queens who will not be making the trip, including representatives from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos. In a statement released on Oct 21, Miss Grand International (MGI), led by Thai pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil, said that the decision was made after "consultation with the relevant parties, national organisations and the six representatives". The six representatives will continue to hold and perform their national titles and responsibilities within their countries, the statement added. On Oct 21, Tan posted on Instagram that she had just received the news. "Honestly, it has hit me harder than I can put into words. I need a little time to gather my thoughts and process everything before I share more about what comes next," she said. "This journey was never just about a crown or a competition. It was about the opportunity to carry Singapore's name onto an international stage, to share our culture, our stories and the spirit of a small nation with big dreams. That is what made this opportunity so meaningful to me. "I may not know what the next chapter holds, but one thing I know for certain is that this will not make me falter. If anything, it has made me more determined to show the world what Singapore is capable of." On Oct 22, the Miss Universe Singapore Organisation (MUSO) said it acknowledges and fully supports the decision. "This development is deeply disappointing, especially for our reigning Miss Universe Singapore 2026," it said, adding that MUSO had been getting Tan ready for Puerto Rico. Its statement said Tan will continue her preparations "with the aspiration of representing Singapore at Miss Universe 2027, in a different host country".

The development follows an ongoing franchise disagreement, after JKN Universe – which holds the legal rights and licensing to the Miss Universe brand and operates as the Miss Universe Organization – stated in September that franchise agreements across the six South-east Asian nations were not recognised . In its statement, JKN Universe maintained that it held all legal authority for licences, sponsorships and franchise contracts. Any agreements made with or through Nawat and his affiliations were thus invalid. In response, Nawat – who also heads Miss Universe Eastern – told a press conference on Sept 18 that the exclusion notice had no legal effect. Miss Universe Eastern owns the regional franchise rights and a 50 per cent stake in the global brand. The local pageant was run under a licence issued by Miss Universe Eastern. In the Oct 21 statement, Nawat's MGI said: "We believe that women's empowerment means more than placing the word 'empowerment' in a slogan. It means standing beside women when their dignity is challenged. "It means refusing to allow women to become collateral damage in corporate conflicts. And it means ensuring no woman is threatened, rejected, discriminated against or treated differently because of a dispute she did not create." MGI added that it "is not surrendering its contractual rights". Tan, who turns 24 on Nov 6, outshone eight other finalists to take the crown on Oct 13 at *Scape Ground Theatre. The remaining delegates from around the world are expected to arrive in Puerto Rico by Nov 8 for rehearsals and promotional events ahead of the 75th Miss Universe 2026 final on Nov 24. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here