Miss Universe CEO Sparks Outrage with “Ultimate Evolution” Comment, Runner-Up Speaks Out
The Miss Universe pageant has found itself embroiled in controversy once again thanks to CEO Anne Jakrajutatip’s recent remarks. During a post-pageant interview, Jakrajutatip called the 2023 winner, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, the “ultimate evolution” of Miss Universe, specifically highlighting her blonde hair and blue eyes as the epitome of beauty.
“We have blond and blue eyes, so we’re coming to the ultimate evolution already,” Jakrajutatip told a reporter after being asked about her plans for the competition. “We don’t need any more evolution here.”
Runner-up Chidimma Adetshina, however, offered a composed response amid the backlash. Adetshina, who made history as the first Nigerian to place in the competition’s top five, informed Business Insider that she wasn’t personally offended. “Maybe that’s just her perspective; maybe that’s how she felt about the evolution of Miss Universe,” she said.
The CEO’s leadership came under further scrutiny when a leaked video from a 2023 staff meeting showed her allegedly claiming that diverse contestants “can compete, but they can’t win.” Jakrajutatip later clarified that her comments referred to a potential reality show rather than the pageant itself, but the damage to public perception had already been done.
Jakrajutatip, who acquired the Miss Universe organization in 2022, has faced criticism over her leadership despite introducing several progressive changes. The pageant made history this year by allowing married women and mothers to compete, and announced in September that women over 28 could now participate.
While Adetshina praised these advancements, she believes there’s still room for improvement. “We had the year of breaking stereotypes and being inclusive,” she said. “But the organization can do better.”
Donald Trump Joins the Conversation
Donald Trump Jr. added fuel to the fire with a post on X, stating, “Biological and objectively attractive women are allowed to win beauty pageants again. WE ARE SO BACK.” Jakrajutatip and Miss Universe co-owner Raul Rocha shared his post on Instagram, adding to the controversy.
Adetshina expressed her disappointment, noting that Trump’s remarks seemed dismissive of past winners. “All the queens that were crowned are so beautiful in their own different ways, so for him to make a comment like that, I feel like he was disregarding all the past queens,” Adetshina remarked. “I can understand why people didn’t really like a comment like that and why it was causing a spark on social media.
For Adetshina, the controversy highlights the importance of acknowledging the hard work contestants put into the competition. Reflecting on her own journey, which included overcoming xenophobic attacks after withdrawing from Miss South Africa, she emphasized the resilience of beauty queens. “People underestimate beauty queens,” the 23-year-old commented. “We always think it’s just about the crown and the walk, but you get to empower and inspire a lot of people.”
