Miss Universe Under Fire: Docuseries Revisits Allegations of Rigging and Bias

A Legacy Under Scrutiny

The Miss Universe Organization is once again facing intense public examination following the premiere of the three-part TLC docuseries, Crown of Deceit: Inside the Miss Universe Scandal. The series, which debuted this Thursday, explores the turbulent recent history of the pageant, addressing leadership transitions and persistent allegations of rigging that have shadowed the competition.

Central to the documentary is a controversial 2023 leaked video featuring then-CEO Anne Jakrajutatip. In the footage, Jakrajutatip suggested that while diverse contestants were permitted to compete, they were not intended to win, characterizing the stance as a “communication strategy.” While Jakrajutatip later claimed on Facebook in February 2024 that her comments were directed at a reality show project rather than the pageant itself, the revelation caused significant distress within the pageant community.

The Impact on Contestants

Among those featured in the docuseries is Stephanie Sullivan, who made history as the first married mother to win the Miss Indiana USA title. Sullivan, who competed in the 2024 Miss USA pageant, shared that the leaked video fundamentally altered her perception of the organization. Having invested an estimated $100,000 in her journey to the stage, Sullivan expressed deep disillusionment upon learning of the CEO’s comments.

“I realized this organization is not what I thought it was going to be,” Sullivan stated in the documentary. She questioned whether her failure to place in the top 20 at Miss USA was a reflection of the organization’s alleged internal bias against older, married contestants, despite the official removal of age and marital status restrictions. “Did I not place at Miss USA because they knew that I had no chance?” she asked, describing the experience as a “punch to the gut” that left her feeling “robbed.”

Shifting Demographics and Leadership

The controversy coincides with a period of significant upheaval for the Miss Universe brand. After purchasing the organization in 2022, Jakrajutatip had initially positioned the pageant as an inclusive platform “owned by a trans woman, for all women.” However, her tenure ended in October 2025, followed by a brief and unstable period of leadership changes, including the resignation of CEO Mario Búcaro in December 2025.

Despite the allegations of bias, the demographic landscape of the pageant has continued to evolve. Following the appointment of Thom Brodeur as Miss USA CEO in 2025, the competition has seen a notable shift. In 2025, the Miss USA top 20 included married women and mothers over the age of 28 for the first time. This year, the trend reached a milestone when Justus Kelley, a foster mother of two, secured the Miss USA crown and is set to represent the United States at the upcoming Miss Universe competition on November 24.

On the international stage, older contestants and mothers are also gaining visibility. Miss Malta Beatrice Njoya competed at age 40 in 2024, and Miss Bonaire Nicole Peiliker-Visser competed at 42 in 2025. As the pageant prepares for its next iteration, the organization remains under pressure to reconcile its stated mission of inclusivity with the skepticism generated by past leadership controversies.

Source: businessinsider.com