Miss Universe Singapore 2026 Vion Erico Tan will not be competing at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico, just over a week after being crowned the country's representative.
The 22-year-old, who works in her family's bee conservation business Nutrinest and also runs a wine business, was crowned Miss Universe Singapore on Oct 13 after beating eight other finalists.
She is now among six national beauty queens who will not be travelling to compete at the 75th Miss Universe competition on Nov 24, namely winners from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos.
WHY ARE THE SIX BEAUTY QUEENS NOT COMPETING?
In September, JKN Universe LLC, the company that owns the Miss Universe brand, announced that representatives from Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos would not be eligible to compete at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November.
According to the company, the franchise agreements involving the six countries were invalid because Miss Universe Eastern Pte Ltd, a company headed by Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, did not have the authority to grant or transfer rights to the Miss Universe brand.
Miss Universe Eastern disputed the announcement at the time, maintaining that it had the contractual authority to appoint franchise partners in its territories.
Despite the ongoing dispute, Singapore proceeded with its national competition, crowning Tan Miss Universe Singapore 2026 on Oct 13.
Miss Grand International (MGI), a separate company associated with Itsaragrisil, also maintained that the franchise agreements for the six countries were valid.
However, in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 21), MGI announced that it would not send the six representatives to the international competition, citing uncertainty over whether they would be allowed to participate and treated equally.
"MGI firmly maintains that the rights relating to all six territories were lawfully obtained through valid contractual agreements," the company said.
MGI added that the franchise rights belonged to the company, rather than personally to Itsaragrisil, and should not be affected by disputes involving individual executives.
Following consultations with the relevant parties, national organisations and contestants, MGI said it decided against sending the six women because it had not received sufficient assurances about their eligibility and treatment.
"MGI cannot responsibly send six women into circumstances where their eligibility has already been publicly challenged and where their accreditation, reception, treatment or organisational support may remain uncertain," it said.
MGI emphasised that its decision did not constitute a voluntary withdrawal or an acceptance that its franchise rights had been terminated.
It added that the six women would retain their national titles and continue their responsibilities within their respective countries.
VION ERICO TAN RESPONDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Following the announcement, Tan addressed her supporters in an Instagram post, expressing her disappointment at the news.
"To everyone who has been supporting me and sharing in my excitement about my upcoming journey to Puerto Rico, I wish I had better news to share with you today," she wrote.
"I've just received the news, and honestly, it has hit me harder than I can put into words. I need a little time to gather my thoughts and process everything before I share more about what comes next."
Tan said the opportunity to compete internationally had meant more to her than winning a crown.
"It was about the opportunity to carry Singapore's name onto an international stage, to share our culture, our stories, and the spirit of a small nation with big dreams."
Despite the setback, she said she remained determined to represent Singapore in other ways.
"I may not know what the next chapter holds, but one thing I know for certain is that this will not make me falter," she said. "If anything, it has made me more determined to show the world what Singapore is capable of."
CNA Lifestyle has reached out to Miss Universe Singapore for comment.