Miss Universe Turmoil: Claude Makélélé Quits Amid Claims of a 'Rigged' Selection

Claude Makélélé has withdrawn from the Miss Universe judging panel just days before the final in Bangkok, saying he was stepping down for "unforeseen personal reasons" as the contest faces allegations that some finalists were pre-selected.

The former Chelsea midfielder and France international announced his decision on Instagram, describing the move as difficult and apologising to the organisation and contestants while expressing hope he might participate under better circumstances in the future.

'I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard. The platform represents empowerment, diversity, and excellence – values I have always championed throughout my career,' Makélélé wrote. 'I sincerely apologise to the organisation, the contestants, and everyone involved, and I hope to be able to contribute in the future under better circumstances.'

Makélélé's exit came hours after fellow juror Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French musician, resigned and publicly accused the pageant of operating like a "charade." Harfouch alleged via social media that an "impromptu jury" had already selected 30 finalists from the field of 136 countries and claimed some members of that informal panel had personal ties to contestants.

'An impromptu jury has been formed to select 30 finalists from among the 136 participating countries, without the presence of any of the real eight members of the jury, including me,' Harfouch wrote, adding concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

The Miss Universe Organisation rejected Harfouch's claims, saying no external group was authorised to assess delegates or choose finalists. The organisation suggested Harfouch may have confused the contest's process with Beyond the Crown — a separate social-impact initiative that uses its own selection committee and operates independently from the pageant.

Adding to the controversy, a pre-pageant confrontation involving Nawat Itsaragrisil, director of Miss Thailand, went viral after he publicly scolded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, for not posting promotional material. Witnesses said he called her 'dumb' and threatened to call security; Bosch and several contestants walked out in protest. Nawat later said some remarks were misunderstood, but the incident prompted the Miss Universe Organisation to send an international team of executives to assume greater oversight of the event.

Miss Universe, now preparing to crown its 74th winner, has for years repositioned itself to emphasise advocacy and broaden eligibility while maintaining entertainment appeal. Still, recent disputes in international pageants — including a resignation at Miss World and legal troubles for the Miss USA franchise — have put pageant governance and transparency under renewed scrutiny.

For now, organisers insist the official judging process remains intact as the competition proceeds in Bangkok, while former jurors and contestants push for clearer explanations about how finalists were chosen.