👑 Miss USA — Key Facts
| Organization Owner | JKN Global Group (formerly Miss Universe Organization) |
| JKN CEO / Controller | Anne Jakrajuathong (acquired 2022) |
| Previous Owner | WME/IMG (2015–2022), Donald Trump (1996–2015) |
| Miss USA Founded | 1952 |
| Headquarters | New York City, USA |
| Current Status | Multiple titleholders resigned 2023; organization restructuring ongoing |
Miss USA is a national beauty pageant and the American qualifying competition for the Miss Universe global pageant. The Miss USA pageant is owned by the Miss Universe Organization, which was purchased in 2022 by Thai businesswoman Anne Jakrajuathong through her company JKN Global Group for approximately $20 million — marking the first time Miss Universe was owned by a woman of color.
Who Is the Owner of Miss USA?
Miss USA is owned through the Miss Universe Organization, which is controlled by JKN Global Group PCL, a Thai media and entertainment company led by CEO Anne Jakrajuathong. JKN acquired the Miss Universe Organization from its previous owner WME/IMG (Endeavor Group) in October 2022 for approximately $20 million. Before Endeavor, the pageant was famously co-owned for nearly two decades by Donald Trump (along with NBC) from 1996 until 2015, when NBC cut ties following Trump’s controversial statements during his presidential campaign announcement. Trump then sold his stake to Endeavor/WME-IMG.
The 2023 Crisis: Resignations and Controversy
Under JKN’s ownership, the Miss USA organization faced significant turmoil in 2023. Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt resigned in May 2023, citing her mental health. Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava also resigned shortly after. Both departures were accompanied by reports of organizational dysfunction, toxic work environment allegations, and concerns about pageant leadership. The dual resignations were unprecedented in Miss USA history and generated significant media coverage about the state of the organization under its new ownership.
Miss Universe Organization’s Structure
The Miss Universe Organization owns and operates three pageants: Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss Universe. Miss USA serves as the American representative selection for Miss Universe. The organization has historic roots dating to 1952, when Catalina Swimwear (later Pacific Mills/Welch) founded the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants as a marketing vehicle — after Yolande Betbeze, Miss America 1951, refused to pose in a swimsuit, prompting Catalina to launch its own competing pageant.
