“I’m not going to send anyone there without guidance,” says director Monica van Ee.
It is the end of an era: the Miss Netherlands organization has announced that they will not be present at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico this year. This makes Rikkie Kollé, Miss Netherlands 2023, the Dutch participant in the Miss Universe elections for the time being.
Internal changes
On Instagram, Miss Netherlands shares that they are withdrawing as an organization from the Miss Universe elections this year in Mexico. The sale of Miss Universe to the Thailand-based JKN Global Group with CEO Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip has changed a lot for the New York-based headquarters. The conditions for participation were also expanded. Very inclusive, and therefore extra nice that Miss Netherlands 2023 Rikkie Kollé was able to shine on the stage in El Salvador last year.
However, recently, Miss Universe has been partnered by JKN Global Group with Mexican business conglomerate Legacy Holding with CEO Raul Rocha Cantú. All employees of the New York office, including President Paula Shugart, no longer work for the organization and have been replaced by a completely new Legal team. After extensive contact, it has therefore been decided not to enter into a new license or contract before 2024.
Not without guidance
“We currently have no known contact there (in New York, ed.). All the people we always had contact with are gone,” director Monica van Ee explains to the ANP. “I’m not going to send anyone there unaccompanied, because we have to be 100 percent sure that everything is properly arranged.”
Fortunately, not everything is going to change. There will be no more Miss Universe participation, but everything else will remain the same. “We will still start our journey with 10 finalists, make a beautiful journey and still put on an awesome final show in Studio21. Where 100% a Miss Netherlands 2024 will be crowned by our Rikkie,” the organization said on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Casting is coming soon
It is an exciting period for the would-be Miss Netherlands candidates, because the casting is just around the corner. On March 23, 60 beautiful young women will come to the casting in the Winter Garden of the Anantara Krasnapolsky hotel in Amsterdam for a chance to win the title Miss Netherlands 2024.
At the end of this exciting day, 10 participants will be able to call themselves Finalists Miss Netherlands 2024. This is followed by a process of challenges, education and connection to shine at the Miss Netherlands internship. Exciting!
Source: Grazia, Instagram @missnederland | Image: Miss Netherlands
