TLC/HBO Max documentary “Crown of Deceit: Inside the Miss Universe Scandal”, which releases in the U.S. on 12 Nov, may not be available in Asia.

Warner Bros Discovery in Singapore said this morning that no decision had yet been made on whether to acquire the three-part factual series, which, among other people, features one-time Thai media mogul, Anne Jakrajutatip, and JKN. 

JKN co-owns the Miss Universe Organisation.

The show is produced by Crazy Legs Productions in the U.S. The series is distributed by TLC. 

The series drops as controversy rages about the participation in this year’s pageant of six Southeast Asia beauty queens from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos. 

Their participation of the six women is mired in a franchise and licensing dispute between the global organisation and regional organisers/license holders in Southeast Asia. These include the controversial Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, who heads Miss Grand International and claims rights over the six territories through Miss Universe Eastern (MUE). 

MUO has declared contestants from these countries ineligible to compete in Puerto Rico in November.

A trailer for “Crown of Deceit: Inside the Miss Universe Scandal” alleges extortion, a global company riven with corruption, women afraid for their safety”, results rigging and behind the scenes high-drama including a contestant walkout and judge resignation at the 2025 Miss Universe finals in Thailand.

Promo clips of the documentary include headlines about the Thai co-owner of the pageant, Anne Jakrajutatip, as well as her Mexican partner, Raul Rocha Cantu, who is separately alleged to be involved in drug trafficking and fuel theft.

Jakrajutatip’s current whereabouts are unknown. 

Meanwhile, her Bangkok-based JKN Global Group is moving closer to oblivion, ending years of high drama Jakrajutatip migrated the Thai programmer/broadcaster into the world of global beauty pageants.

Creditors have been given until 1 December to file claims with the official receiver in terms of the Central Bankruptcy Court absolute receivership order. The notice was published in the Royal Gazette in Thailand on 1 October. The Official Receiver alone now has the power to manage JKN’s business and assets.

JKN was founded in 2013 in Thailand to distribute films, series and documentaries. The company also ran digital TV channels and managed the Miss Universe license business.