Miss Universe Singapore 2026 set for Puerto Rico finals as franchise dispute eases

Entrepreneur and model Vion Erico Tan, crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2026 on Oct. 13, is expected to represent the country at the 75th Miss Universe finals in Puerto Rico as uncertainty over Singapore's participation appears to be easing.

Tan beat eight other finalists to win the national title.

National director Sean Wong said administrative paperwork was being processed ahead of Tan's scheduled departure on Nov. 6, which is also her birthday, The Straits Times reported.

Contestants are expected to arrive in Puerto Rico by Nov. 8 for rehearsals and promotional activities before the grand finale on Nov. 24.

Pageantry is new territory for Tan, who works in her family's bee conservation business, Nutrinest. She stated she had considered entering for two years but waited to build up her courage and life experience.

"Hearing about the circumstances didn't deter me," she said of the dispute over Singapore’s eligibility to compete in this year’s Miss Universe finals, adding that representing her country would be a huge honour whether or not she reaches the global stage.

Eligibility doubts arose in September, when a statement issued in the name of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) claimed franchise agreements involving Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos and Malaysia were not recognised by JKN Universe, the holder of the Miss Universe brand's legal rights and licensing.

However, Miss Universe Eastern, owner of the regional franchise rights and a 50 percent stake in the global brand, stated that the exclusion notice had no legal effect.

Wong said the dispute has since eased, and that MUO has added the national directors of Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, who have already crowned their representatives, to an official WhatsApp group for receiving pageant updates. He expected he and Tan to be added to the directors’ and contestants’ group chats soon.

Despite the short lead time, Wong claimed preparations for the event are now running smoothly. He praised Tan as "capable, well-spoken and good-looking," and hoped that she gets the chance to shine on the international stage.

Not everyone was part of the celebration. Miss Universe Singapore 2025 Annika Xue Sager, 26, said in an Instagram video on Oct. 14 that she had expected to pass on her crown at the finals.

"Instead, I watched that chapter close without me," Sager stated. She only learned of the event when people sent her promotional posts the day before, and had waited for an invitation that never came, according to 8days.sg.

Sager, who represented Singapore at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand last November, said she had mentally prepared her speech, her walk and her dress months in advance. She wore her crown and sash in the video to give herself the farewell she did not get on stage.

The pageant changed hands this year. The 2025 edition was organised by Malaysian company Beyond Entity Sdn Bhd, while this year's was run by HyperLive Entertainment, whose CEO is Wong. Sager said she was never told about the change or how it would affect her as the outgoing titleholder.

The 26-year-old stressed that her disappointment was not aimed at her successor. "She definitely deserves her moment just as I deserved mine," Sager shared.

Sager said she has not heard from the new organising team since uploading her video, and that she only wanted to be honest about an experience she found hurtful.

On the other hand, Wong said that his team is solely focused on getting Tan ready for Puerto Rico. He added that, problems aside, he believes Singapore is sending a solid contender, one he expects to catch rivals off guard.