Brown-Walker quits Miss Universe roles, citing pressure, rising fees

National Director for Universe Guyana and Co-Director for Universe Ghana, Teri Brown-Walker, has resigned with immediate effect, citing a lack of transparency, rising franchise fees and pressure to choose between the Miss Universe and Miss Cosmo pageant systems.

In a letter dated November 23, 2025, she said her decision stemmed from ongoing concerns about transparency in the selection process, inconsistent fees that burden smaller countries and organisational challenges that made the work “untenable.” She said threats, restrictions and pressure to align with one system over the other dismissed her financial and business obligations and were “both disheartening and unfair,” a release noted.

Brown-Walker said she continued to act with integrity by sending delegates to both Miss Universe and Miss Cosmo competitions, rejecting any decisions rooted in “fear or coercion.” Pageantry, she said, should promote “opportunity, dignity, and empowerment — not intimidation.”

She described her tenure as an honour and said the values of the “old Miss Universe organisation—where every voice mattered” remained important to her. She also noted her commitment to the industry despite personal challenges, including kidney cancer.

She said she is still weighing whether to remain with the Miss Cosmo organisation in 2026 and emphasised that any future decision must be made freely and without pressure, threats or restrictions. She added that she remains open to fair opportunities within the Miss Universe system and said transparency and integrity are essential for the franchise’s future.