Tumult Strikes the Miss Universe Pageant
In a series of dramatic events, the Miss Universe pageant finds itself engulfed in controversy and mishap as it unfolds in Thailand. What should be a celebration of global beauty and talent has instead become a spectacle of organizational chaos, allegations of impropriety, and now, a frightening accident involving one of its contestants. The competition, already reeling from the resignation of two judges, faced further disruption when Jamaica’s Gabrielle Henry suffered a fall from the stage during the preliminary evening gown competition, sending shockwaves through the pageant world and raising questions about contestant safety and event management.
The incident involving Miss Jamaica occurred as Henry was gracefully walking the runway in a stunning sequined orange gown. While engaging with the audience, she suddenly disappeared from view, having fallen off the edge of the main stage. The Miss Universe Jamaica organization quickly issued a statement confirming Henry had been rushed to Paolo Rangsit Hospital. Pageant president Raul Rocha personally visited Henry, later sharing on Instagram that while she would remain under observation overnight, thankfully she had sustained no broken bones or life-threatening injuries. “Our prayers go out for her prompt recovery,” Rocha wrote, as the organization pledged to support Henry and her family through this challenging time. The fall comes at a particularly unfortunate moment, adding a physical dimension to what was already becoming an emotionally fraught competition.
Before Henry’s accident, the pageant was already experiencing significant upheaval with the abrupt departure of two judges from the eight-member panel. Lebanese-French businessman and composer Omar Harfouch resigned with explosive allegations that the competition had been compromised by a secretive pre-selection process. According to Harfouch, a “secret vote” had already determined 30 semifinalists from the 136 contestants – a vote conducted by individuals who weren’t official jury members, himself included. “To this day, no one knows who the selected 30 are, except one individual who holds the results,” Harfouch claimed. He further explained that his resignation stemmed from an unwillingness to “stand before the public and television cameras, pretending to legitimize a vote I never took part in,” noting his concerns about potential geopolitical sensitivities surrounding eliminated countries.
The Miss Universe Organization swiftly denied Harfouch’s allegations, issuing a statement on Instagram declaring that all judging procedures for the 74th Miss Universe competition remain “official, transparent, and fully governed by MUO protocols.” The organization emphatically stated that no impromptu jury had been created and no external group had been authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists. Despite these assurances, the damage to public perception was compounded when a second judge, former French soccer star Claude Makélélé, announced he would not be participating in the event “due to unforeseen personal reasons.” While Makélélé’s departure wasn’t explicitly linked to Harfouch’s allegations, his timing raised eyebrows, especially given his statement that he hopes “to be able to contribute in the future under better circumstances.”
These controversies have cast a shadow over what is typically one of the most prestigious international beauty competitions. The Miss Universe pageant has long prided itself on representing empowerment, diversity, and excellence across cultures. However, this year’s event appears increasingly defined by behind-the-scenes drama rather than the accomplishments and platforms of its contestants. Harfouch’s specific concern about eliminated countries that might be “at war, discriminated against, or geopolitically sensitive” points to the complex international dynamics that often intersect with such global competitions, where representation carries significant symbolic weight for participating nations. The situation echoes previous controversies in international pageants where questions about fairness, transparency, and political considerations have occasionally overshadowed the competitions themselves.
As the final day of the Miss Universe competition approaches on November 21, organizers face the challenging task of refocusing attention on the contestants and the positive aspects of the pageant. Whether the organization can successfully address these controversies and restore confidence in the competition remains to be seen. For Gabrielle Henry, recovering from her fall takes precedence over the competition, though her experience has inadvertently highlighted safety concerns that may prompt review of staging and production elements. Meanwhile, the allegations of impropriety in judging will likely continue to fuel speculation regardless of who ultimately wins the crown. This confluence of unfortunate events serves as a reminder that even the most glamorous spectacles can quickly become mired in controversy, leaving contestants, organizers, and audiences alike hoping for a smooth conclusion to what has been a turbulent pageant season.
