Miss Universe pageant dubbed 'fraud' as owner Anne JKN accused of rigging show for R'Bonney Gabriel
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: Anne Jakrajutatip, the chief of JKN Global Group, which owns both Miss Universe and Miss USA, is being chastised online by disgruntled fans who believe she has a vested interest in both events. On Saturday, January 14, night in New Orleans, R'Bonney Gabriel was crowned the 71st Miss Universe. Nevertheless, it is certain that most people who believed Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel would triumph that evening were not really pleased with Gabriel's victory. Everyone is already drawing conclusions and pointing out that the American victory was a fraud.
Gabriel's rivals also questioned the legitimacy of her victory, saying it was strange because less than 24 hours after she won, Gabriel was featured in advertising for a beauty treatment company that awards the winner a prize. Gabriel appeared in a NIZUC spas advertisement less than 24 hours after she was crowned, which made the other competitors believe the event had been rigged from the start and stated that Gabriel's victory was due to "favoritism."
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'She deserves the crown:' Internet hails R'Bonney Gabriel as she wins 71st edition of Miss Universe
The new Miss Universe is USA!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/7vryvLV92Y
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023
Who is Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip?
Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, popularly known as Anne JKN, is one of Thailand's wealthiest people, with a net worth of $170 million, according to Forbes magazine. Anne JKN's company acquired the rights to Miss USA, which is part of the same brand when it purchased Miss Universe this past fall for an alleged $20 million.
And now, many are pointing out what appears to be a clear conflict of interest on the part of Jakrajutatip and the company in the meanwhile. There were complaints regarding how Gabriel became Miss USA even before this competition, going all the way back to October when JKN Global took over as the new decision-makers. There have even been suspensions at the top levels as a result of the investigations into claims of bias in that competition, according to others.
On the other side, Dudamel made an impression throughout the program, particularly with her sincere responses to some queries. In the costume department, especially when she entered the stage wearing a WILD moon landing costume, her attire received less scorn than Gabriel's did.
As usual, people were quick to turn to social media, with one commenting, "Fraud!" Another said, "The crown was for DR or VENEZUELA." A third chimed in, "The crown was between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. I thought there would be a change in the organization, but I see that in the end, it is still convenience and strategy." A fourth tweeted, "You guys should've just crown her from the very beginning instead of wasting our time. Terrible show, terrible top 16, not having a top 10 cut, long a** show, leaving a ton of favorites out. "
The crown was for DR or VENEZUELA.
— Leonardo Salazar 🦄 Radio|TV|YouTube|Podcast (@LeoSalazarF) January 15, 2023
The crown was between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. I thought there would be a change in the organization, but I see that in the end it is still convenience and strategy.
— Jessica C. Nieto B. (@Jesscanieb) January 15, 2023
You guys should've just crown her from the very beginning instead of wasting our time. Terrible show, terrible top 16, not having a top 10 cut, long ass show, leaving a ton of favorites out. 🤡
— ☀️lorde stan account🌊 (@eddgardx) January 15, 2023
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.