Geline Salac

Miss Grand founder Nawat Itsaragrisil gets bigger role in Miss Universe

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785815066981MUO.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Photo from MUO/Nawat Itsaragrisil</div>Nawat Itsaragrisil, known to many as the founder of the Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant, is assuming a bigger role in the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).This August, MUO announced that the Thai entrepreneur is now the chief executive officer of Miss Universe Eastern, and will oversee a team representing 95 countries.The appointment came after he served as vice president of Miss Universe Asiana. &quot;I am deeply honored and delighted to assume the position of chief executive officer of Miss Universe Eastern,&quot; Itsaragrisil said in a statement released by MUO.&quot;Together, we will strengthen collaboration, create new opportunities for our delegates and partners, and continue advancing the values and global vision of Miss Universe. I look forward to leading this talented team into its next chapter of growth and success,&quot; he added. Itsaragrisil recently mounted the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2026/5/31/colombia-wins-mgi-all-stars-ph-s-gazini-ganados-ends-journey-in-top-5-0111">first all-star edition of his MGI pageant</a>, which included five delegates from the Philippines.The Thai pageant executive led the host committee of the 74th Miss Universe in Thailand last year, where he <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/12/3/nawat-itsaragrisil-files-complaint-vs-miss-universe-fatima-bosch-1841">got embroiled in a controversy with eventual winner Fatima Bosch of Mexico</a>.

Thai entrepreneur Nawat Itsaragrisil, known to many as the founder of the Miss Grand International pageant, is assuming a bigger role in the Miss Universe Organization.

Thai entrepreneur Nawat Itsaragrisil, known to many as the founder of the Miss Grand International pageant, is assuming a bigger role in the Miss Universe Organization.