The Miss Universe pageant in Thailand was hit by two controversies: Jamaica’s Gabrielle Henry fell off the main stage during the preliminary evening gown round and was taken to Paolo Rangsit Hospital with no life‑threatening injuries. Miss Universe president Raul Rocha said she has no broken bones and will remain under observation. Judge Omar Harfouch resigned alleging a "secret vote" to pre‑select 30 finalists, a claim the Miss Universe Organization denied, and Claude Makélélé withdrew citing personal reasons. The final is set for Nov. 21.
Miss Universe Turmoil: Jamaica’s Gabrielle Henry Falls Off Stage as Judges Resign Over Rigging Claims
The Miss Universe pageant in Thailand was hit by two controversies: Jamaica’s Gabrielle Henry fell off the main stage during the preliminary evening gown round and was taken to Paolo Rangsit Hospital with no life‑threatening injuries. Miss Universe president Raul Rocha said she has no broken bones and will remain under observation. Judge Omar Harfouch resigned alleging a "secret vote" to pre‑select 30 finalists, a claim the Miss Universe Organization denied, and Claude Makélélé withdrew citing personal reasons. The final is set for Nov. 21.
04:58 AM, 11/21/2025Culture
The Miss Universe competition in Thailand was rocked by two separate controversies during the preliminary events: Jamaica’s contestant, Gabrielle Henry, fell off the main stage during the evening gown round, and two judges withdrew from the panel amid allegations of a pre-selection process for finalists.
Henry, representing Jamaica, was walking in a sequined orange gown when she unexpectedly stepped off the edge of the main platform. She was taken to Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where officials said she did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Miss Universe president Raul Rocha visited her in hospital and reported that she had no broken bones and would remain under observation.
Raul Rocha: "I was there with her family and her, and thankfully, there are no broken bones and she is under good care. She will remain under observation for the rest of the night and we will remain in touch with her family to support her. Our prayers go out for her prompt recovery."
The incident occurred as the contest faced mounting questions about its judging process. Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French composer and businessman, resigned from the eight-member judging panel, alleging a "secret vote" had been used to pre-select 30 finalists from the 136 contestants. Harfouch said the purported vote involved people outside the official jury and that he could not legitimize a selection process he did not take part in.
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) publicly rejected Harfouch’s claims, stating that judging procedures for the competition remain "official, transparent, and fully governed by MUO protocols," and adding that no impromptu jury or external group had been authorized to evaluate delegates or choose finalists.
Former French footballer Claude Makélélé also withdrew from the panel, citing "unforeseen personal reasons" and expressing regret that he could not participate. Organizers confirmed the final is scheduled for Nov. 21.
As organizers address both the medical care for Henry and the judging controversy, contestants and viewers await clarification on the selection process and assurances about contestant safety ahead of the final round.