Thai transgender activist and Miss Universe Organisation owner Jakapong Jakrajutatip has broken her silence on a video in which she belittled efforts to boost inclusivity at the beauty pageant, saying the clip was “manipulated” to tarnish her reputation.
Jakapong reportedly said the decision to remove the age limit and allow transwomen, mothers and married women to take part in the event was a “communication strategy”.
“This is a communication strategy because they can compete, but they cannot win,” she said in the video that was leaked online and widely circulated on social media.
Jakapong, who bought the platform for US$20 million in 2022, blamed an unnamed person for the “unlawful act”, adding the brand’s supporters believed in our “core value of promoting diversity” and would not be fooled by the controversy.
“The malicious edited video was out of context and used to manipulate other people which led to the public confusion, misunderstanding, misinterpretation and wrong conclusion,” she said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“I still don’t comprehend why this man, who I was so nice to, would jeopardise me and the organisation while we were talking about one of the new reality show episodes, not the pageantry itself.”
Jakapong is a celebrity in Thailand, starring in local versions of reality shows Project Runway and Shark Tank.
Acknowledging that she identifies as a transwoman and mother, Jakapong also said she was a staunch proponent of gender equality rights.
“Why do I have to live my life up against what I believe? God gave me the purpose to live, to inspire and to spread kindness. I do have the strength to forgive this man and show the desire to the universe that love is what we need in this world,” she said.
New Thai transgender owner of Miss Universe pageant files for bankruptcy
New Thai transgender owner of Miss Universe pageant files for bankruptcy
Jakapong, who is known for being Thailand’s first transgender CEO, runs the Life Inspired For Thailand Foundation that advocates for the rights to dignity and opportunities for transgender people.
But Nepali beauty queen Jane Garrett was not convinced by Jakapong’s explanation, alleging last year’s pageant was “rigged”.
“Honey, I knew it was rigged from the moment I was onstage. I realised us ‘inclusion’ girls weren’t ever gonna get a real chance to win,” Garrett, the first plus-sized woman to compete at Miss Universe, said on Instagram last week.
Some social media users criticised Jakapong for championing fake inclusivity, arguing the video could “wreck” the organisation.
Others rallied behind her, saying “all those slanderers would finally be defeated by their own malicious deeds”.