(From left) Former MUO president Paula Shugart is eyeing to file a legal case against MUO owner Anne Jakrajutatip. Images: Screengrab from YouTube/Miss Universe, Instagram/@annejkn.official
Paula Shugart, former president of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), is mulling to take legal action against the part-owner of the beauty organization, Thai business mogul Anne Jakrajutatip, for alleging that she “took money under the table” to ensure certain titleholders won the global tilt.
Shugart served as the president of the MUO since 2000 before stepping down in November 2023. She announced her retirement during a pre-pageant event of the 72nd edition of the beauty tilt.
In a statement on her Instagram account on Monday, Feb. 19, Shugart said she is eyeing possible legal action taken against the MUO owner after she accused the former of taking money “to secure placements in Miss Universe competitions.”
“Recent false and outrageous comments made by Miss Universe owner Anne Jakrajutatip impugning my character have compelled me to break my silence,” she said.
“I would choose to ignore such assertions but by suggesting that I am corrupt and took money ‘under the table’ to secure placements in Miss Universe competitions, Jakrajutatip not only defames me, but she also discredits the women who have won the Miss Universe crown by implying their titles were ‘bought’ and not earned by merit,” she continued.
Shugart stressed that Jakrajutatip’s “reckless” allegations would tarnish the name of the pageant and its titleholders, and that she couldn’t stay silent after such remarks were leveled against her.
“I cannot abide by such dangerous and reckless assertions, which degrade the Miss Universe brand and its titleholders,” she said. “Since announcing my resignation in November of 2023, I have sought to stay out of the spotlight, electing not to comment on any of the changes within the Miss Universe Organization.”
The former MUO president asserted that she is bound to “speak the truth” while considering legal actions to take against Jakrajutatip. She also pointed out that she will let her “years of service” as the former head of the organization “speak for itself.”
“I am presently considering my legal options in Thailand and what actions I might take… it is imperative for the Miss Universe brand and its legacy that I immediately speak the truth and condemn these words before taking any action,” she said.
“I have no intention or need to engage in drama on social media and I will not do so. Anyone who knows me knows the truth and what I stand for. I will let my years of work with some truly incredible women speak for itself,” she further added.
Shugart’s post earned the support of former titleholders Ximena Navarrete and Lupita Jones, as well as former MUO talent director Esther Swan and Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez in the comments.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@realpaulashugart
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@realpaulashugart
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@realpaulashugart
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, and Miss Universe Thailand 2023 Anntonia Porsild also liked Shugart’s post.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@realpaulashugart
Anne Jakrajutatip’s accusations
While Shugart didn’t state which of Jakrajutatip’s statements she was referring to, the latter caught the attention of pageant fans after stating her intention to “create prosperity in the universe” on her X (formerly Twitter) page.
“Firing (or, to put it politely, inviting me out) and resigning are different things… no one resigns!!!” Jakrajutatip said in Thai, but which was auto-translated in English
Image: Screengrab from X/@annejknofficial
Image: Screengrab from X/@annejknofficial
Jakrajutatip also accused a certain woman of implementing a “corporate culture” that allowed her to “do her own things,” even resorting to such things “under the table.”
“A corporate culture that has allowed one woman to do her own thing for 25 years is very dangerous for her to be able to do whatever she wants, under the table, anywhere,” she wrote. “When the real owner comes, who is a transgender woman from a country that you consider to be developing.”
Image: Screengrab from X/@annejknofficial
Image: Screengrab from X/@annejknofficial
Image: Screengrab from X/@annejknofficial
Jakrajutatip has yet to comment on Shugart’s possible legal actions against her, as of this writing.
