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The Miss Universe competition faced significant upheaval following the resignation of two judges—one due to accusations of rigging and another citing “unforeseen personal reasons.” The situation became even more complicated when Jamaican contestant Gabrielle Henry experienced a tumble off the stage during the preliminary evening gown segment.
Henry was gracefully walking in a dazzling orange sequined dress, engaging with the audience before she unexpectedly tumbled from the main stage at the 2025 event in Thailand.
The organization representing Miss Universe Jamaica confirmed that Henry was swiftly taken to Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where healthcare experts assessed her condition. Fortunately, it was reported that her injuries were not life-threatening.
“I was by her side along with her family, and thankfully, there are no fractures, and she is receiving excellent care. She will remain under observation overnight, and we will continue to support her family,” shared Miss Universe pageant president Raul Rocha on Instagram after visiting Henry in the hospital. “We are sending our thoughts and prayers for her swift recovery.”
During the 74th Miss Universe Preliminary competition on November 19, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, showcased her evening gown. (Mohan Raj/Getty)
Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French composer and businessman, resigned from the eight-member judging panel earlier this week, claiming a “secret vote” was held to pre-select 30 contestants out of the 136.
“This vote was carried out by individuals who are not official members of the jury, myself included. To this day, no one knows who the selected 30 are, except one individual who holds the results,” Harfouch said.
“I could not stand before the public and television cameras, pretending to legitimize a vote I never took part in. Some of the countries eliminated through this process could be at war, discriminated against, or geopolitically sensitive. Viewers would assume the jury made these decisions, and I cannot bear responsibility for a process I did not participate in. Pretending otherwise would be dishonest.”
Pianist, composer, and businessman Omar Harfouch poses during a portrait session on March 15, 2024, in Paris, France. (Eric Fougere/Corbis via Getty Images)
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) rejected Harfouch’s allegations in an Instagram post Tuesday, saying all of its judging procedures for the 74th Miss Universe competition remain “official, transparent, and fully governed by MUO protocols.”
It added that no impromptu jury has been created, and no external group has been authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists.
A second judge, former French soccer player Claude Makélélé, said he wouldn’t be attending the event “due to unforeseen personal reasons.”
Claude Makelele attends the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid CF at Parc des Princes on Oct. 21, 2015, in Paris. (Xavier Laine/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
“This was a difficult decision, as 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 on his Instagram account. “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.”
The final day of the Miss Universe competition is Nov. 21.