Miss Universe 2025: Judge Departures and Contestant Injuries Create Stir

The upcoming Miss Universe 2025 pageant, scheduled for November 21 in Bangkok, Thailand, is mired in controversies and unexpected issues. In a dramatic turn of events just days before the grand finale, three judges have stepped down from their roles, including Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, chair of the Miss Universe selection committee, alongside Omar Harfouch and Claude Makélélé.

Princess Camilla resigned only two days before the event, providing no specific reasons for her departure. This followed the exit of Omar Harfouch, who expressed dissatisfaction with the pageant's judging process and claimed that a supposed “impromptu jury” had pre-selected the top 30 contestants, bypassing the original panel of judges. He raised alarms about potential biases, alleging that those on the jury had personal ties to some participants. Harfouch declared that he could not compromise the futures of young women based on these issues and felt unheard while addressing his concerns with the Miss Universe CEO.

Just after Harfouch's announcement, Claude Makélélé also withdrew for “unforeseen personal reasons.” The rapid resignation of these three key judges has sparked discussions over the pageant's fairness and integrity.

To complicate matters further, Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, tragically fell off the stage during the preliminary round on November 19 and was swiftly taken to the hospital. Thankfully, initial reports indicate she doesn't have life-threatening injuries, though her participation in the finals remains uncertain, adding to the event's volatility.

Tensions were already visible earlier, as Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, reportedly had a heated exchange with pageant organizer Nawat Itsaragrisil after missing a photoshoot. Eyewitnesses claimed she was insulted, which led several contestants to walk out in protest, showcasing ongoing issues related to contestant treatment and management within the pageant.

Nevertheless, the Miss Universe Organization has affirmed that the finale will continue as scheduled on November 21, promising that it will uphold its usual standards of glamour and entertainment despite the disturbances.

With judge resignations, allegations of bias, contestant injuries, and prior disputes, the Miss Universe 2025 pageant has become a focal point of discussion, raising questions about how the organization will handle these challenges and protect the competition's integrity in the forthcoming final event.