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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Josh Yugen in talks to acquire Miss Universe Denmark franchise

Josh Yugen in talks to acquire Miss Universe Denmark franchise

Published May 16, 2025 09:43 am
House of Yugen president and national director, Josh Yugen

Global queenmaker Josh Yugen has confirmed that he is in talks to acquire the Miss Universe Denmark franchise, which has produced the current title holder, Victoria Kjær Theilvig.

Talk of a Denmark acquisition began circulating in March after Yugen quietly opened an office in Copenhagen. 

 "I've been receiving a lot of questions about this, especially since the Yugen Group opened its first office in Europe. As far as I can tell you, the franchise has been offered to me, but nothing is finalized yet," he revealed.

Yugen, who currently holds the Miss Universe franchises for Bahrain, Pakistan, and Egypt, emphasized that the matter warrants serious consideration. "If you look at the franchises I’ve taken on—Bahrain, Pakistan, Egypt— I built them from the ground up. I don't want to hurt people's feelings. This was  my concern when I spoke to Miss Universe.''

He ended his statement with a teaser.  "There might be a possibility, who knows? But that's for another presscon."

The known licensee of Miss Universe in Denmark is Lisa Lents of the Miss Denmark Organization, who also holds the franchises for Miss World and Miss Supranational in the Scandinavian country.

The remarks were made during a press conference titled “XPEDITION Presents: The Miss Universe Yugen Franchises,” held at The Grand Hausse in Quezon City recently. The event unveiled the new leadership team behind the Miss Universe franchises in Bahrain, Pakistan, and Egypt, all of which fall under the House of Yugen.

Key appointments included:

  • Josh Yugen - Owner and President
  •  Arci Muñoz – Head of Women Empowerment

  •  Dr. Jonas Apostol – Co-National Director of Miss Universe Bahrain & Official Dental Aesthetic Partner

  • Dr. Gwen Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross – Head of Charity

  •  Deborah Kugler, CEO of Casa Officiale – Creative Director

  • Xian Lim, actor/director – Head of Personality Development

  • Ian Borromeo – Vice President for Operations and Communication

  • Erica Robin – Co-National Director, Miss Universe Pakistan

  • Evlin Khalifa – Co-National Director, Miss Universe Bahrain

  • Mohra Tantawy – Head of Culture

  • Kosh Hewage – Deputy Director, Miss Universe Bahrain

  • Mercy Maddox – Head of Training and Development

  • Maureen Montagne, Miss Globe 2021 – Head of Beauty

  • Gwendolyne Fourniol – Head of Social Impact and Candidate Development


Each appointee emphasized the organization’s mission to transform pageantry into a force for advocacy, empowerment, and cultural pride.

The beauteous Maureen, who holds the international title of Miss Globe 2021, said she accepted the Yugen Group appointment because it's a way of paying forward whatever she gained in pageantry.

"I almost joined Miss Universe Philippines this past year, but I had to focus on business opportunities. Pageantry is becoming increasingly expensive nowadays, and I had to evaluate why I would want to join. Am I joining for my ego? Am I joining for more business opportunities? And I concluded that I'm very content behind the scenes," she stated.

Gwendolyne or Gwen, who's Miss World Philippines 2022, pointed out that " pageantry will always advocate for causes, and mine is education. I haven't closed any doors to joining (pageants)  again, maybe in the future, wherever my heart will lead me."

She added that her new appointment is "an excellent opportunity to inspire and lead the candidates, the women, and to help the girls see their growth and be part of their journey."

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