After a Miss Universe riddled with controversies, the two co-owners of the international beauty pageant are facing arrest in their respective countries. How unbecoming!
Driving the news: Last week, Mexico’s Fátima Bosch won the title of Miss Universe amid a flurry of controversies. This included, but was not limited to: two judges resigning amid vote rigging accusations; a contestant being hospitalized after falling off the stage; and a viral incident where the eventual winner stormed out after an organizer called her a “dumbhead.”
And somehow, none of these mishaps were the worst thing to happen to the competition.
In Thailand: This week, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, who owns half of the Miss Universe Organization. She failed to appear in court to hear the verdict of a case where she stood accused of defrauding an investor in her company, JKM.
In Mexico: It came out that Raúl Rocha Cantú, who owns the other half of Miss Universe, was one of 13 individuals facing arrest warrants as part of a probe into alleged illegal drug, gun, and fuel trafficking between Mexico and Guatemala. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Fuel smuggling has caused a stir in Mexico, with attorney general Alejandro Gertz Manero stepping down this week after facing criticism for his handling of the case.
Why it matters: Despite, or more likely because, of the drama, the contest broke viewership records. The organization said the event racked up 2.6 billion global views across social media as it received more attention than it had in years (it’s certainly the first time we’ve thought about it). If it survives the current turmoil, perhaps it can mount a revival.