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Miss Universe Pageant Plagued by Withdrawals and Bans
11 Nov
Summary
- Fifteen countries have withdrawn from the Miss Universe 2026 competition.
- Six Asian nations were banned due to franchise disputes.
- Contestants cited personal values, health, and accidents for withdrawals.
The 75th Miss Universe competition, currently underway in Puerto Rico, has been marred by a significant number of withdrawals and bans. Fifteen countries have ceased participation in the event, which is being held at the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan. Notably, six Asian nations—Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, and Malaysia—have been disqualified due to disputes over pageant franchises.
Several contestants have also announced their withdrawal from the international pageant. Miss Universe Austria Victoria Amerson cited a need to stay true to her values and protect her mental and physical health. Miss Universe Bulgaria Ana-Maria withdrew following a car crash that left her unable to compete, with organizers prioritizing her recovery. Saint Martin's representative, Madly Marian, also stepped down for personal reasons.
In addition to the franchise-related bans, other countries like Nepal, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Republic of the Congo are not participating due to visa issues or US visa restrictions. Miss Universe Maldives Aminath Yuin Mohamed and Miss Universe Morocco Sara Allali have also withdrawn, though their specific reasons remain undisclosed. Despite these challenges, Vietnam is set to host the 76th Miss Universe pageant next year.
