Miss Universe Singapore and five others to skip pageant in Puerto Rico
Six Southeast Asian representatives will not attend the Nov. 24 competition in Puerto Rico due to a franchise dispute between Miss Grand International and the Miss Universe Organization.
File photoThe short version
- Mothership and CNA Lifestyle report that Vion Erico Tan and representatives from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos will not compete on Nov 24, 2026
- Miss Grand International announced the decision on Oct 21 after consultations, stating it does not constitute a voluntary withdrawal of contractual rights
- The Miss Universe Singapore Organisation said on Oct 22 it fully supports the decision and Tan will prepare for Miss Universe 2027 in a different host country
- Rehearsals and promotional events in Puerto Rico are scheduled to begin on Nov 8
Decision follows franchise dispute
Miss Universe Singapore Vion Erico Tan will not travel to Puerto Rico for the 75th Miss Universe pageant scheduled for Nov. 24, 2026. CNA Lifestyle reported she is one of six national titleholders from Southeast Asia who will be absent, along with those from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos. The decision stems from an ongoing disagreement over franchise agreements for these territories between JKN Universe LLC, which owns the Miss Universe brand, and Miss Universe Eastern, led by Nawat Itsaragrisil.
JKN stated in September 2026 that the contracts for the six countries were not recognised because Miss Universe Eastern lacked authority to grant or transfer rights. The Straits Times reported that Miss Universe Eastern disputed this, maintaining it held contractual authority. Despite the dispute, Singapore held its national pageant and crowned the 22-year-old Tan on Oct. 13.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Puerto Rico holidays calendar
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Their non-participation shall not constitute a voluntary withdrawal, relinquishment, surrender, abandonment or waiver of any contractual rights held by MGI.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Mothership. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
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.
The source's own statement, as quoted by The Straits Times. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Statements from involved parties
Miss Grand International, also associated with Itsaragrisil, issued a statement on Oct. 21 saying the non-participation followed consultations with the involved groups, the national bodies and the six titleholders. Stomp reported that MGI emphasised the decision does not amount to a voluntary withdrawal or waiver of contractual rights. It added that the women will retain their national titles and responsibilities.
MGI stated it respects "Puerto Rico and its people and does not wish" the host to be affected by a corporate dispute. Mothership reported the organisation said it could not send the contestants into circumstances where their eligibility had been publicly challenged and where accreditation or treatment might remain uncertain. The Miss Universe Singapore Organisation said on Oct. 22 that the development was deeply disappointing "and the team had been actively preparing for" Tan's participation.
Where the sources differ
All sources agree that Vion Erico Tan and five other Southeast Asian titleholders will not compete in the Nov. 24, 2026 Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico due to a franchise dispute, and that the decision was announced by Miss Grand International on Oct. 21 following consultations. Mothership, CNA Lifestyle, Stomp and The Straits Times report the same list of absent countries and the core facts of the JKN versus Miss Universe Eastern disagreement. The Straits Times provides additional detail on Nawat Itsaragrisil's Sept. 18 press conference response and a longer excerpt from MGI's statement on women's empowerment, while CNA Lifestyle includes more on MGI's reasoning about lack of assurances regarding eligibility and treatment. Minor variations exist in reported ages for Tan (22 in CNA, turning 24 on Nov. 6 in Straits Times and Stomp).
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the Miss Universe Organization has issued any response to MGI's Oct. 21 announcement or if other national representatives have been affected. They provide no information on how many contestants will ultimately participate, what impact the absences may have on the event schedule in Puerto Rico, or any planned actions by the six titleholders beyond retaining their national titles. The sources also do not address potential legal next steps in the franchise dispute.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Miss Universe S
- Reporting Miss Universe Singapore Vion Erico Tan will not compete in global beauty pageant in Puerto Rico
- Reporting Miss Universe Singapore among 6 beauty queens to not compete in Nov 24 pageant in Puerto Rico
- Reporting Miss Universe Singapore among 6 beauty queens not competing in Nov 24 pageant in Puerto Rico
How we checked this
Mothership, CNA Lifestyle, Stomp and The Straits Times all covered the announcement and its background. Details on Tan's Instagram reaction and the Miss Universe Singapore Organisation's position appear across multiple outlets, while specific phrasing in the MGI statement on not affecting Puerto Rico rests on the Mothership report.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.