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Miss Universe chief blue eyes remark stirs pageant debate

Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava condemn the remark as destructive amid ongoing leadership controversies

August 12, 2025 at 01:37 PM
blur Ex-Miss USA, Miss Teen USA React to Miss Universe CEO's Blue Eyes Remark

Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava condemn Anne Jakrajutatip for a remark about blond hair and blue eyes as harmful and outdated.

Miss Universe chief blue eyes remark stirs pageant debate

During a November 2024 press conference, Jakrajutatip suggested the pageant already has the ideal look with blond hair and blue eyes, implying evolution is unnecessary. The comment drew sharp backlash from many in the pageant world. Voigt and Srivastava, who left their crowns in 2023 and spoke with Business Insider in August, described the remarks as destructive and said the industry should celebrate a broader range of identities.

The controversy comes amid ongoing leadership tensions in the Miss USA and Miss Universe organizations. Voigt and Srivastava resigned in May 2024 after allegations of mistreatment by Miss USA chief executive Laylah Rose, a dispute that has stoked calls for transparency and accountability. Jakrajutatip has faced additional scrutiny over past remarks and staffing decisions, underscoring a broader debate about inclusion, branding, and governance in the pageant world.

Key Takeaways

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The remarks renew the debate over beauty standards in pageants
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Diversity and inclusion remain central to public expectations
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Leadership disputes have shaken trust in the Miss Universe brand
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Former winners are pushing for change and accountability
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Public reaction is mixed but growing calls for reform are evident
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Brand partners may reconsider ties if rhetoric persists
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Future steps will test how the organization handles inclusion and transparency

"There are beautiful people in the world who look very different from each other."

Voigt on diversity in pageants

"But you run a beauty pageant."

Voigt challenging leadership rhetoric

"It's not the 2000s anymore."

Srivastava on changing times

"What she said was very destructive."

Voigt condemning remarks

The episode highlights a clash between tradition and modernization in beauty culture. Audiences now expect more authentic representation and a broader idea of what a pageant queen looks like. Leadership turnover has already strained trust, and this latest moment risks drawing sponsors and partners into a debate over values versus spectacle. If the organization fails to address these concerns, it could face sustained public scrutiny and longer term reputational damage.

Highlights

  • There are beautiful people in the world who look very different from each other.
  • But you run a beauty pageant.
  • Its not the 2000s anymore.
  • What she said was very destructive.

Backlash and governance risk in pageant brands

The remarks about appearance and ongoing leadership controversies raise questions about brand trust, investor confidence, and inclusion. The episode could trigger public backlash and demands for greater transparency.

The pageant world is at a crossroads about how to balance tradition with inclusion.

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