Last year, Townhall reported how a Thai business tycoon, Chakrapong “Anne” Chakrajutathib, who is a biological male who identifies as a transgender woman, purchased the Miss Universe pageant organization for $20 million.
When the news broke, Chakrajutathib said that this is “the first time the beauty pageant organiser will be owned by a woman,” according to Reuters.
This week, reports broke that the company that owns Miss Universe, JKN Global Group, filed for bankruptcy. The annual Miss Universe pageant scheduled for this week will still go on.
In a statement, JKN Global Group claimed that they are “confident” that a “new plan will support all of the company’s business operations, including Miss Universe.”
“We confirm that Miss Universe 2023 will be held in El Salvador on 18 November 2023, where a top notch experience provided to our fans will remain our top priorities,” the statement concluded.
This year, two “transgender women” won their country’s Miss Universe pageants. This included Marina Machete, 28, who won Miss Portugal, and Rikki Valerie Kolle, 22, who won Miss Netherlands.
Kolle’s win occurred in July.
“I'm so proud and happy I can't even describe it,” Kolle wrote after he won. “Making my community proud and showing it can be done.”
Predictably, Kolle’s win sparked backlash, as many people pointed out that he stole a spot from a deserving biological female, which Townhall covered.
These people must be HIGH!!!
— Chad Prather (@WatchChad) July 10, 2023
A BIOLOGICAL male won the Miss Netherlands 2023 competition!!!
Winner (left) vs. the runner-up (right): pic.twitter.com/Oj0OGQNOnk
Last month, Townhall reported how Machete was crowned Miss Portugal. Ahead of his win, he wrote on Instagram that he is “proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal.”
“For many years I wasn’t eligible to compete and now it’s such an honor to be a part of this incredible group of candidates!” Machete wrote.