2023-11-18 20:55:55
While part of the world has its eyes fixed on El Salvador for the coronation of the seventy-second Miss Universe this Saturday, the company that owns it has just filed for bankruptcy. The competition will take place, but following multiple scandals the question arises, can we still save it?
It was announced last week that Thai media company JKN Global is going bankrupt. Just one year following the $20 million purchase of the rights to organize the Miss Universe competition.
This acquisition is a failed diversification, even if the Miss Universe organization is not really responsible for the group’s bankruptcy. The conglomerate faced liquidity problems and the collapse of its stock market.
A competition that is losing its appeal
The evil that is eating away at Miss Universe is quite different: weariness and loss of audience. In recent years, its popularity has declined significantly, which is very bad news since its income depends on broadcasting rights and sponsors.
The history of the institution is troubled, it is also tarnished by several scandals, sexual harassment, errors in announcing the winner or even accusations of cheating.
>> Read also: Miss Colombia crowned Miss Universe by mistake following a blunder
For almost twenty years, the organization was owned by Donald Trump, who did not hold back in his comments, for example by calling a former candidate, who had become a little plump, a “little slut”.
Last year, the American group IGM, which bought the organization from Donald Trump, made no secret of the fact that selling the institution meant getting rid of an embarrassing commitment.
Attempts at openness and diversification
To improve its image, the institution, owned by an openly transgender Thai millionaire, sought to diversify. First by accepting the applications of divorced women, mothers, then those of transgender women. A reorientation that did not delight all fans.
This underlines the challenge and the paradox of the event, by wanting to designate a person, a representative of a national identity, as a concentrate of all human and feminine qualities, while wanting to be open, diverse and above all free from any stereotype. .
Radio subject: Katja Schaer
Adaptation web: Miroslav Mares
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