IMPLODING UNIVERSE: Perhaps the biggest scandal of the Miss Universe organization was unleashed this Thursday, February 23, when the program "De Primera Mano", on Imagen TV , published leaked videos of a meeting headed by JKN Global CEO Anne Jakrajutatip and her team in Mexico that included MUO co-owner Raul Rocha Cantu, Cynthia de la Vega (new national director for Mexico). The meeting revealed the dark intentions of the organization which are only motivated by money. The videos were leaked by Rodrigo Goytortua, one of the terminated MUO workers who had recorded the meeting that took place in Mexico on October 23, 2023.
These are the main take-aways from the meeting:
- Anne said that the idea of inclusion that was realized during the 72nd edition, held last November 18 in El Salvador and that allowed plus-size, transgender women, mothers and married young people to participate, was only an advertising strategy to strengthen Anne's empire through a whole line of products - such as makeup and swimsuits - that have been part of the brand's innovation. They intend to repeat the same strategy this year - even more aggressively - at the Mexican headquarters, with a reality show and a false message based on "inner beauty" regardless of age. In other words, inclusion is used only to gain viewer ratings and new consumers of MUO products.
- Anne said that all the contestants that fall in the "inclusion" category must believe that they can win, but that the organization will choose whoever suits them the best, implying that the judging panel is worthless. Cynthia de la Vega, the new national director of Mexico, tells Anne, "I like the way you think."
- The semi-finalists will be chosen based on the number of their social media followers; because it is better for the business. Incidentally, the only countries mentioned at the meeting were the Philippines, Thailand, Dominican Republic, France and India. Anne jokingly said that she wanted Thailand to win.
- Cynthia de la Vega said that "we have to make people forget about Mexicana Universal," - a jab against Lupita Jones, the former director who was dismissed without warning. Also, I find it funny that Cynthia literally says "you tell us which ones are the most worthy and we choose starting since that" They don't mention Nicaragua in the meeting though (at least from what was seen). In fact the only delegates mentioned are India, Philippines, Thailand, Dominican Republic and France when highlighting the most power-worthy contestants for that year. The organization decides who should win.
- When selected Miss Universe 2023 contestants were flown to Mexico after the pageant, Rodrigo stated that the girls had been misled to believe that they would be attending charity events which never materialized. Instead, they were only tasked to promote the brand and partnership between Anne and Raul. Rodrigo also said that he and his associates were told that they were allowed to do anything they wanted with the girls.
- Rodrigo was never paid for his services, and neither were international employees. When he asked Raul why he was never paid, Raul made several threats to him, that he would take him to court and send him to jail, and that he and his friend Salvador threatened to kill Rodrigo during a phone call which he was able to record. Rodrigo also said that if something happened to him or to his family, it would be Raul's doing. He has already filed a lawsuit against Raul who owes him millions.
- Raul wants the national directors to buy products from his various businesses, and that they also create a reality show in their respective countries that would follow the format for which they will also have to pay. Their elected queens will have to sell MUO skincare products on the reality show to make more money for the company.
- When asked if there are other things in the video that the viewers have not seen and that Rodrigo wanted to add, he said there are many things that are very delicate, but he cannot say them due to a pending lawsuit. He did say that an arrest warrant for Anne has been issued in Thailand and in Mexico and that Anne has scammed investors and filed for bankruptcy.
You can watch the entire show in Spanish here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?