The owner of Miss Universe has said the world-famous beauty pageant has entered a ‘new era’ after 70 years of being run by men as she takes over as the first transgender woman to own the competition.
Thai businesswoman and CEO of the JKN Global Group Anne Jakrajutatip told the audience at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans in New Orleans that ‘time [was up]’ on the old order of the pageant.
Jakrajutatip said: ‘From now on it’s gonna be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world to celebrate the power of feminism.’
The 43-year-old said: ‘It’s the moment, really, for women to take the lead’ as the roaring audience gave a standing ovation.
The businesswoman, who became the owner of the pageant this year, wore a stunning floor-length cocktail dress embellished with gems as she addressed the audience.
She wore her blonde locks in a slicked-back low ponytail, parted in the centre, and accessorized her gem-encrusted gown with an equally sparkling butterfly pendant necklace and dangling diamond earrings.
Jakrajutatip continued that the pageant would stand for: ‘Diverse cultures, social inclusion, gender equality, creativity, a force for good and of course, the beauty of humanity.’
She went on to describe her own experiences as a transgender woman and how it has affected her path in life.
