The leadership of the Miss Universe Organization moved to publicly shut down renewed claims over its ownership after one of its co-owners issued a sharp rebuke aimed at critics circulating contrary assertions.
In a series of Instagram Stories posted on Saturday, January 3, Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha lashed out at what he described as baseless pronouncements from unnamed individuals challenging control of the pageant. Without identifying anyone directly, Rocha referred to a “delusional fool and his daughter” and warned that legal action would follow statements he said were rooted in fantasy rather than fact.
“I’m fed up with that delusional fool and his daughter making statements, dreaming of something he wouldn’t be able to achieve in a hundred years. Keep dreaming, my lawyers will put an end to your fairytales,” Rocha wrote.
The remarks surfaced shortly after former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson publicly suggested that Rocha and Thai businesswoman Anne Jakrajutatip were no longer in control of the Miss Universe brand.
Those claims were promptly rejected by the organization itself, which released a statement across its official website and social media accounts emphasizing that no change in ownership or leadership had taken place. The MUO said it was compelled to respond to what it characterized as a pattern of inaccurate representations designed to confuse the public.
“The organization also finds it necessary to address recent false and misleading statements regarding its ownership and leadership. These statements have been made seeking to misrepresent ownership, falsely suggest acquisition or purchasing opportunities, and create confusion,” the statement read.
It added that such claims appeared intended to mislead audiences and potential investors by exploiting the Miss Universe name. “Such actions appear designed to deceive the public, improperly solicit investments, and exploit the Miss Universe brand for personal benefit, visibility, or advantage. In response, the Miss Universe Organization states clearly and unequivocally: The Miss Universe Organization remains under its current ownership and leadership,” the organization said.
The MUO further disclosed that its legal team is already reviewing the matter, signaling that formal measures may follow. “The Miss Universe Organization is actively reviewing these matters with its legal advisors and will take all appropriate and necessary steps to address and prevent further false, misleading, or unauthorized actions or statements,” it stated.
While reaffirming its position, the organization urged the public and media to rely solely on its official platforms for verified updates, noting that information on leadership and structure is published exclusively through its website and sanctioned channels.
At the same time, questions persist around the personal circumstances of the pageant’s co-owners, as Rocha is facing investigations linked to alleged drug, firearms, and fuel trafficking, while Jakrajutatip has been sentenced to two years in prison by the South Bangkok Civil Court.
