The Miss Universe organization is speaking out on rigging allegations after Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel's win last Saturday.
The organization dismissed claims made by social media users that its new owner fixed the competition in order to crown Gabriel, who became the first Filipino American to be named Miss Universe.
"Saturday’s competition was the first time a trans woman addressed fans as the owner of Miss Universe," the organization wrote in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital about transgender Thai businesswoman and JKN Global Group CEO Anne Jakrajutatip.
"It was also the first time a Filipina American took the crown," the statement continued. "The false rigging allegations are absurd and distract from the incredible milestones our organization and the delegates experienced this weekend."
"Instead of focusing on unfounded statements, we will continue to shine a light on global women’s empowerment, inclusiveness, diversity, and transformational leadership," the organization concluded.
While Miss Universe 2022 was airing, fans on Twitter alleged that the competition was rigged, pointing out that JKN Global Group also owns the Miss USA pageant. Gabriel became the first Filipino America to be crowned Miss USA at the competition last October. She was named Miss Texas USA in December 2021.
Online critics also claimed that the pageant was manipulated to favor the American contestant because it was held in the United States. The competition took place at the Ernest N....
Washington, May 6 (IANS) India's Operation Sindoor, launched after the heinous terror attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 last year and witnessed Pakistan-backed ter...