ST. CROIX — Last year’s winner of the Miss Universe USVI pageant is suing the franchise owner for breach of contract, claiming she was never paid a $30,000 salary.
Stephany Andujar, who was crowned Miss Universe USVI on August 18, 2024 at Antilles School on St. Thomas, filed a breach of contract complaint through her attorney, Rosh Alger, on November 26 in Superior Court, Division of St. Thomas and St. John.
In her complaint, Andujar claims she had a contract that required her to be paid a $30,000 salary after winning the pageant. She noted she received a $5,000 stipend that was outlined in the contract but never received her salary that was supposed to be disbursed monthly upon winning. Andujar, who noted in her complaint that Jagrup received more than $50,000 in sponsorship for the event, claims it did not go as smoothly as promised because Jagrup failed to appear and mismanaged the arrangements for shipping equipment needed for the event. Upon information and belief, other participants of the event are still owed money, according to the lawsuit.
Jaielean Jagrup, the franchise owner, said by phone that Andujar informed her within a month after being crowned that she was planning to sue her. She said, however, she did not want negative publicity, so she made sure Andujar had her full sponsorship to compete in the International Miss Universe pageant that was held on November 16, 2024 in Mexico. She said Andujar repeatedly breached her contract before competing in Mexico.
“It’s an unfortunate situation,” Jagrup said.
Despite the lawsuit threat, Jagrup said Andujar initially favored a payment plan.
“She did give me the opportunity for us to handle it on our own and just work out payment arrangements that way,” Jagrup said. “But then it didn’t happen in a timely manner because I was doing this current Miss Universe and she just said, ‘you know what we’re going to still do it the legal route.’”
When asked if she would pay Andujar her salary, Jagrup said it is now up to the legal system.
“I think we’re just going to leave it into the hands of what the court decides, but I know it’s going to be a fair decision,” she said.
As a result of Jagrup’s alleged breach of contract, Andujar claims she suffered damages in the amount of her salary, expenses, interest, and professional fees. She seeks judgment against Jagrup for breach of contract, as well as any other and further relief as the court deems proper and just.
Andujar declined to comment without first having a discussion with her attorney.
