Miss Universe 2025 Faces Judge Resignations and Contestant Injury Ahead of Bangkok Finale

The Miss Universe 2025 pageant, set to crown its 74th titleholder on Friday evening at Bangkok's Impact Arena, has plunged deeper into scandal as a third judge has abruptly withdrawn from the panel, just one day before the live finale. Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, president of the Miss Universe selection committee and a prominent Italian royal with a background in philanthropy, confirmed her exit to media outlets, citing unspecified "personal commitments" that arose unexpectedly. This follows the high-profile resignations of Lebanese-French composer Omar Harfouch and former French soccer star Claude Makélélé on Tuesday, leaving the original eight-member judging panel significantly diminished and raising fresh questions about the event's organizational integrity. With 136 contestants from around the world already vying for the crown under the theme "Beyond the Crown," the withdrawals have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of empowerment and diversity, hosted in Thailand for the third time since 2005.

Harfouch's departure ignited the firestorm, with the musician posting a series of Instagram Stories alleging that an "impromptu jury"—separate from the official panel—had secretly pre-selected the top 30 finalists from the 136 entrants, bypassing standard protocols and including members with alleged personal ties to contestants, such as romantic relationships and even the vote-counter. He claimed to have confronted Miss Universe CEO Raúl Rocha, only to face dismissal, prompting him to resign in protest, stating he could not "play with the destiny of young girls" in what he called a "charade" lacking transparency. Hours later, Makélélé followed suit via a more subdued Instagram post, citing "unforeseen personal reasons" and expressing regret while praising the organization's mission of female empowerment. The Miss Universe Organization swiftly rebutted Harfouch's claims, suggesting he confused the main competition with the independent "Beyond the Crown" social impact initiative, which has its own selection committee and does not influence pageant outcomes; they also barred him from using official branding. Princess Camilla's timing—disclosed by Harfouch himself to People magazine—has fueled speculation of deeper rifts, though she issued no public statement beyond a cryptic social media apology for any "inconvenience."

Compounding the chaos, the preliminaries on Tuesday saw a shocking on-stage mishap when Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry—a 28-year-old trauma surgeon and advocate for maternal health—tumbled from an elevated platform during her runway segment, requiring immediate hospitalization. Eyewitnesses described the fall as "terrifying," with Henry landing awkwardly after a wardrobe malfunction, but medical updates confirmed no life-threatening injuries, though her participation in the finals remains in limbo pending clearance. This incident, captured in viral clips circulating on X, has amplified calls for enhanced safety measures, with users decrying the pageant's "cursed" buildup. The scandals echo earlier turmoil, including a mid-October dressing-room tirade by Thai organizer Nawat Itsaragrisil against Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch over her physique, which sparked contestant walkouts and accusations of body-shaming. On X, reactions range from Harfouch's supporters hailing him as a whistleblower—"standing up for integrity," as one post noted—to skeptics dismissing the exits as publicity stunts, with hashtags like #MissUniverseRigged trending globally.

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The backdrop to this year's edition traces to the pageant's evolution under new ownership since 2023, when Thai businessman Anne Jakkapong Jakrajutip acquired it from IMG Models, aiming to modernize the 73-year-old franchise with a focus on inclusivity—no more swimsuit rounds, expanded age limits to 49, and emphasis on advocacy. Yet, persistent issues like these have eroded trust, drawing parallels to past controversies such as the 2022 Philippines hosting debacle amid financial woes. With live broadcasts planned on Telemundo and a global audience of over 185 million expected, the remaining judges—including figures like Miss Nigeria 2014 Chidimma Adetshina—face immense pressure to restore credibility. Organizers have vowed an "impartial" process, but the resignations highlight vulnerabilities in high-stakes events reliant on celebrity jurors for star power.

As the clock ticks toward showtime, the Miss Universe Organization has remained tight-lipped on replacements, insisting the event will proceed "with grace and excellence" while promising post-pageant transparency on selections. Social media sentiment, per recent X threads, leans toward boycott calls from advocacy groups, but die-hard fans anticipate a resilient showcase of talent amid adversity. Whether this culminates in a triumphant reset or further reputational damage, the 2025 saga underscores the beauty industry's reckoning with ethics, equity, and the glare of public scrutiny—lessons that could redefine pageants for years to come.

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