Miss Universe 2026 commenced in Puerto Rico, facing significant withdrawals and visa challenges as contestants gear up for the final event.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The 75th edition of the Miss Universe pageant officially kicked off over the weekend, with contestants arriving for two weeks of events leading to the highly anticipated final gala on November 24. The pageant, hosted in Puerto Rico for the first time since 2001, has already been marked by a series of challenges, including significant withdrawals of contestants and ongoing disputes over franchise control.
Among the participants, Miss Dominican Republic, Melissa Núñez, made headlines after she arrived on Monday, having received medical clearance to travel following a car accident that delayed her departure. The 28-year-old contestant was set to fly to Puerto Rico on Sunday but was involved in a vehicle rollover crash on Friday night in Santo Domingo, along with Magali Febles, the national director for the Dominican franchise. Both women underwent a 48-hour medical observation before being cleared by doctors, with organizers confirming that they were in stable condition. “I came to Puerto Rico to live one of the biggest dreams of my life,” Núñez expressed on Instagram after her arrival, highlighting the emotional stakes of the competition.
Withdrawals Impacting the Competition
As the pageant began, several contestants announced their withdrawal from the competition for various personal and logistical reasons. Ana-Maria Babau from Bulgaria cited injuries from a separate car accident, while Victoria Amerson of Austria opted to withdraw in order to prioritize her mental and physical health. Additionally, Madly Marian from Saint Martin also pulled out, demonstrating the multifaceted challenges contestants face leading up to such high-profile events.
Further complicating matters, Zambia’s Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka confirmed that she would miss the competition due to unsuccessful attempts to secure a U.S. visa. Zimbabwe’s Roseanna Hall was reported to be in South Africa, still working on her visa situation after missing her scheduled departure. The U.S. State Department has listed Zambia and Zimbabwe among the countries facing a partial suspension of visa issuance since January 1, which has significantly impacted the ability of contestants from these nations to participate in international events like Miss Universe.
Franchise Disputes Exclude Southeast Asian Countries
A notable absence from this year’s competition is representatives from six Southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos. This situation arose from a dispute over the licensing of their national franchises. In September, JKN Universe LLC, the organization responsible for the pageant’s licensing, declared that existing agreements were invalid, rendering the six delegations ineligible to participate.
Nawat Itsaragrisil, chief executive of Miss Universe East, confirmed in October that these nations would not be competing this year. This marks Vietnam’s first absence from the pageant since 2014. The disputes surrounding franchise control highlight ongoing tensions within the Miss Universe organization, which have been exacerbated by prior controversies, including a high-profile walkout during last year’s pageant in Thailand when contestant Fátima Bosch was publicly reprimanded by Itsaragrisil.
Financial Oversight and Legal Controversies
The political landscape surrounding Miss Universe 2026 has also been tumultuous, with lawmakers in Puerto Rico demanding transparency regarding the $8.7 million committed by the government to support the event. They are seeking records that detail the payments made to ensure the pageant’s success. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company has committed to providing the requested documentation, which includes a cease-and-desist letter issued to Itsaragrisil in September over discrepancies between his public statements and governmental records.
Further complicating the event’s backdrop, a Mexican federal judge recently issued an arrest warrant for Raúl Rocha Cantú, a co-owner of the Miss Universe franchise, due to allegations of organized crime and money laundering. This legal turmoil adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing power struggle within the organization, raising questions about the future governance of the pageant.
Looking Ahead: Event Schedule and Broadcast Details
The upcoming events for Miss Universe 2026 promise to be exciting and culturally rich, with the national costume show scheduled for November 21, followed by the preliminary competition on November 22. The final gala, where Bosch will crown her successor, is set to take place on November 24 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan. The gala will be broadcast live on Telemundo and available for streaming on Peacock starting at 7 p.m. ET.
As the competition unfolds amidst the backdrop of withdrawals, visa issues, and organizational disputes, Miss Universe 2026 is shaping up to be a significant chapter in the pageant’s history. The event not only showcases beauty and talent but also reflects the complexities and challenges faced by contestants and organizers alike.
