In an unfortunate turn of events, the National Director and President of Miss Universe Belize Organization, Romeo Escobar, announced yesterday that the organization will no longer be part of the Miss Universe franchise. The organization joins multiple other organizations who have given up the Miss Universe franchise following the new owners’ franchise renewal decisions at Miss Universe.

Escobar, in the official announcement, wrote, “Recently the Miss Universe Organization was purchased by JKN Global Group. With that comes many changes and new implementations of how their business model works, this includes bidding for our franchises as directors. This does not align with the way I conduct business and believe it is not a sustainable way to keep a partnership long term with its directors. Because of this, I have decided to part ways with Miss Universe and give up the franchise.”

According to Escobar, the reigning Miss Universe Belize 2022 Ashley Lightburn will continue her reign until August 2023 per her contract and all our deals with sponsors will continue to be fulfilled for the remainder of the year.

Miss Universe 2022, the 71st Miss Universe pageant, was held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States on 14th January 2023 where Ashley Lightburn represented Belize at Miss Universe 2022 but remained unplaced.