In a grand moment that followed the Miss Universe CEO blond hair blue eyes comment coronation CEO Anne Jakrajutatip made a statement which went far beyond the pageant stage. When put on the spot regarding the evolution of the Miss Universe competition Jakrajatip very much declared that which was no evolution at all was needed because “We have blond hair and blue eyes” which he put out as praise for the winner Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark. She said we don’t need any more change here.
We already have the best, which to them is a peak of beauty defined by those physical traits. The statement since then has brought out great backlash and also intensive debate on diversity, inclusion and the which beauty pages like Miss Universe in 2025 up hold.
Former winners of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA express dissent
Noelia Voigt a former Miss USA and UmaSofia Srivastava Miss Teen USA which is history making in terms of multi cultural background they put forth a strong criticism of Jakrajutatip’s remarks which they saw as very destructive. Voigt who is also the first ever Venezuelan American Miss USA spoke of how the comments played into the pagesant fans’ favorite theme of wanting a blonde haired blue eyed winner which as it happened did not apply to her at all.
Srivastava the first ever Mexican Indian Miss Teen USA spoke of the let down in terms of regression, that the Miss Universe CEO blond hair blue eyes comment organization had in the past done well to present diverse beauty which this was a step away from. Also both women brought up the harmful message put out there by Jakrajutatip which is that only a very narrow Eurocentric standard of beauty is what is to be considered the ideal.
Impact of Constrictive Beauty Standards
UmaSofia Srivastava spoke out on how Jakrajutatip’s words brought up very personal issues of her own which she had tried to fit into what turned out to be an unattainable template. She reported that many contestants and young girls put up with what in reality is an impossible pressure to fit into very narrow beauty ideals which play upon eye and hair color.
Srivastava said “It is so hard to try and fit into a set standard which you in the end you know you can’t achieve. Also she put forward that while she has been able to develop a thick skin to this issue many others do not and shouldn’t have to put up with these out dated standards. Her remarks play into the larger discussion around representation and the mental health impacts of which some beauty ideals are very much exclusionary businessinsider.
Divided Opinions Within the Pageant Community
While many had issues with the CEO’s statement, in the pageant community as a whole there was mixed reaction. Chidimma Adetshina, the first Miss Nigeria to do so well at Miss Universe 2024 (which included placing in the top five) and the first runner up, reported that she was “not really offended” by the comment which to her may have just been that one person’s take on how things are at present.
Also we had from Miss America 2025 Abbie Stockard which was a very different take as she put out that the remark is a blow to what the non traditional contestants put into the competition. Thus the very public different stands taken are a display of the ongoing issues around which we are to hold to traditional beauty pageant values or move beyond them.
History of Conflict over Miss Universe and Miss USA leadership
Jakrajutatip’s is the latest in a series of issues which have come to light under her watch. Also in May 2024 which was a first in the pageant’s 72 year history saw Voigt and Srivastava step down, out of reports from their families that they experienced abuse and torture while in the0 crown.
The Organization has never looked into these reports which go against the diversity and empowerment they preaching. Also in regard to Jakrajutatip we have a past that includes a leaked Instagram Live in which she and an pageant advisor were critical of contestants’ photos and reported to have said that diverse contestants “can compete but they can’t win” which they term a “communication strategy”. These issues have really shook up pageant supporters and brought to question the leadership and direction.
The CEO Maintains Position Despite Backlash
Despite reports to the contrary and in the face of great controversy the Miss Universe Organization announced that Anne Jakrajutatip will be at the helm as CEO through mid-2025. This comes after reports of her impending departure which also brought up issues of finance and law regarding her other business projects.
The organization put out a press release which refuted any reports of change in leadership and stood by the present direction. Jakrajutatip’s role is secure which also does not go over well with the critics who are instead pushing for a more inclusive and a modern take on the pageant which better represents global diversity as opposed to what they see as the idealization of Western beauty standards. entertainment.inquirer.
The Future of Beauty Pageants: Convention vs. Growth
The issue at hand with Jakrajutatip’s blue eyes comment is a large scale cultural issue which is a result of the changing concept of beauty on a global stage. While pageants like Miss Universe have for some time been put under the microscope for their focus on Eurocentric features, in recent years we have seen a push for including a wider range of ethnicities, cultures, and body types.
The CEO’s words it seems to put out that progress or in some cases take us back which in turn has caused very heated debate within and beyond the beauty pageant world. Voices like that of Voigt and Srivastava are in the fight for change which we see as a move toward a future which celebrates all that diversity has to offer and in which no single look is put forth as the “final word” in what is attractive. The pageant community is at a cross roads between holding on to the past ideals or adopting a truly global standard of beauty which includes the great diversity of the world’s population. yahoo
This issue is beyond the pages of what we see in terms of pageants it also puts into the spotlight social issues of race, representation and identity in the media. We see in this the value of changing beauty ideals to be so inclusive, empowering, and to represent the full spectrum of the human experience.
Visit for more news: WhyTrends
