The Thai-owned Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) has come out swinging against an ABC News’ Impact x Nightline documentary, issuing strong denials to allegations made in the show and threatening legal action.

The programme, Cracks in the Crown: Miss Universe in Crisis?, premiered on Thursday, 21 November.

Among other issues, the documenary questions the ethics of the current leadership while showing an image of Anne Jakrajutatip, who bought MUO from IMG in 2022. 

The show delves into the controversies surrounding the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants, and, in signs of further disarray, alleges that MUO did not return a cash deposit of associated with securing hosting rights for the 2025 pageant. 

The US$500,000 deposit was paid by entrepreneur Omar Castorino Montanaro, who intended to host the 2025 pageant in Paraguay. “It was going to be huge,” Montanaro said in Cracks in the Crown: Miss Universe in Crisis?. 

Montanaro said his money was not returned when the talks fell through. ”They took my money and then they went quiet,” he said on camera.    

In a video statement distributed on social media platforms, MUO legal director, Mark Herrin, and social media head, Pakavich Buranabutr, said the company “categorically denies” allegations regarding the management of financial deposit linked to the hosting rights for the Miss Universe 2025 pageant. 

Herrin said the “allegations are unfounded and baseless”. 

Herrin acknowledged that MUO had received a deposit related to its discussions about hosting the 2025 pageant in a particular country. 

“We want to make it clear that these discussions did not reach fruition and that the negotiations were subsequently canceled. 

“In accordance with the terms of the signed agreement, the Miss Universe Organisation promptly refunded the entire deposit to the original account on 11 April 2024”. Herrin added that comprehensive documentarion supported the transaction and the refund. 

In a separate press release, MUO said the documenary “contains misleading information intended to undermine the integrity and values for which our organisation is known and esteemed.”

“The documentary in question irresponsibly challenges the beliefs we hold dear, disseminating false claims with the intention of smearing the Miss Universe Organisation. It falsely targets not only our organisation but also our executives and members, who are individuals of recognized honorability, living the values of our organization daily. These individuals have consistently demonstrated impeccable character and a steadfast commitment to our core values,” the press release said. 

The press release said ABC’s approach “undermines the public’s trust and the principles of fair and ethical reporting”. 

“As steadfast guardians of our reputation and ethical standing, the Miss Universe Organisation reserves the right to pursue legal actions against those who perpetuate falsehoods undermining our esteemed legacy,” the statement said.