'Forced Body Checks:' Miss Universe Cut Ties With Indonesia Franchise

The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) has cut ties with its Indonesian franchise after several contestants alleged being sexually abused days after the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.

Contestants claimed that the finalists were asked to strip for a "body check of scars and cellulite," and some said that they were photographed topless.

Miss Universe Cut Ties With Indonesia Franchise

The US-based Miss Universe Organisation stated that it was clear that the franchise has not lived up to its brand ethics, expectations, or ethics. Jakarta police are probing into the claims.

MUO also mentioned that it was cancelling this year’s pageant in Malaysia, which is run by the same company, "PT Capella Swastika Karya."

The MUO thanked the women for filing complaints and appreciated them for their bravery. It reiterated that its major priority was to "provide a safe place for women." It added that it was evaluating its policies and procedures to prevent such similar occurrences. It also said there were no measurement or body dimension requirements to join the pageants across the globe.

The MUO posted on Saturday night that, in light of the revelation about the incident that took place in  Miss Universe Indonesia, it was clear that the franchise had failed to live up to its standards, ethics, and expectations.

Miss Universe is now in its 73^rd edition in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, where the winners go on to become celebrities and social media influencers.

The owner, Anne Jakrajutatip, a Thai transgender woman and media mogul, revamped the brand by making it inclusive by allowing married women, single mothers, and transgender women to compete in the pageant.

Indonesia’s franchise director Poppy Capella said on Instagram that she never knew, ordered, requested, or allowed anyone who played a part in the process of organising Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment under the guise of body checking. She added that she was against any form of violence or sexual harassment.

The MUO said that Indonesia’s Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld, who won the contest to represent the country in the 2023 Miss Universe finals in November, will now compete with the organisation’s support.

Suggested Reading: 'Woman from Birth': Miss Italy Pageant Bans Transgender Competitors