Former Miss Universe judge Omar Harfouch is escalating his battle with the Miss Universe Organization, claiming he is now exploring legal action after resigning from the judging panel and accusing the organization of serious misconduct in the days leading up to the competition. Harfouch stunned pageant watchers when he abruptly exited the selection committee on November 18 and publicly alleged that the Top 30 finalists were pre-selected by what he called an “impromptu jury,” before delegates from 136 countries took the preliminary stage. The Miss Universe Organization swiftly denied the accusations, but Harfouch says the controversy has only strengthened his resolve.
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Former Miss Universe Judge Moves Toward Legal Action After Miss Mexico’s Victory
One day after the November 21 crowning of Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch as Miss Universe 2025, Harfouch confirmed he has entered the early stages of pursuing a formal complaint. “I have officially consulted one of the leading law firms in New York to examine the potential filing of a formal complaint before the Office of the Attorney General against the Miss Universe Organization,” he wrote on Instagram.
He said the issues under review include fraud, abuse of power, corruption, deception, breach of contract, conflict of interest, and emotional and reputational damages.
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Speaking to PEOPLE, Harfouch claimed his team waited for the winner to be announced before moving forward. He stated he and his team “were waiting to see if Miss Mexico won before we started to pursue legal action, and she did win.”
He added that his motive is simple. He wants “to bring justice to contestants, especially the 106 countries who were kicked out three days before the show by a mysterious ‘entity’ [the impromptu jury].”
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Organization Denies ‘Secret Jury’ As Ex-Judge Alleges Winner Was Pre-Selected
In a statement shared to the pageant’s official Instagram on November 18, the Miss Universe Organization categorically denied Harfouch’s allegations.
Their response stated that no “impromptu jury” was created, no external group was authorized to evaluate delegates or pick finalists, and all judging followed standard, transparent MUO protocols. The organization has not issued any additional comments following Harfouch’s announcement of potential legal action.
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Harfouch also alleged he knew in advance that Fátima Bosch would be crowned Miss Universe 2025. According to him, he predicted the winner one day before the pageant during an interview for an upcoming HBO project. He further claimed that Miss Universe owner Raúl Rocha had attempted to pressure him to vote for Bosch, asserting Rocha had business dealings with Bosch’s father.
His team is now evaluating how and when to proceed with a formal complaint in New York, with Harfouch insisting his mission is to support the many contestants he says were unfairly impacted.
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Miss Universe President’s Public Outburst At Fátima Bosch Sparks Global Backlash
Harfouch’s accusations, paired with his vow to pursue legal action, have only added to one of the most scrutinized Miss Universe competitions in years.
Earlier this month, tensions inside the Miss Universe ecosystem boiled over during a now-viral incident involving the organization’s Thailand president, Nawat Itsaragrisil. Footage streamed on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page showed Nawat calling the newly crowned Miss Universe Fátima Bosch to the front of the room, demanding she “explain herself” for missing a sponsor shoot earlier in the day.
Visibly uncomfortable, Miss Mexico declined to participate, calmly stating she did not wish to be “publicly reprimanded.” Nawat abruptly cut her off, called her “dumb,” and then instructed security to remove her from the venue.
As Bosch walked out, several delegates immediately stood in solidarity. Among them was Victoria Theilvig, who openly condemned the behavior before storming out herself. “This is about women’s rights,” she said. “We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled. To trash another girl. It’s beyond disrespectful. That’s why I’m taking my coat and I’m going.”
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Miss Jamaica To Remain In ICU After Devastating On-Stage Fall
Amid the swirling controversies surrounding this year’s Miss Universe competition, another heartbreaking development has shaken the pageant community. Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry is expected to remain hospitalized in the intensive care unit for at least another week after suffering a severe fall from the Miss Universe stage in Thailand on Wednesday.
According to the Miss Universe Jamaica organization, the 28-year-old contestant is being closely monitored at Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where she is surrounded by her mother and sister. “Gabby isn’t doing as well as we would have hoped, but the hospital continues to treat her accordingly,” her sister shared in an update on Friday.
Doctors have ordered Henry to stay in the ICU for a minimum of seven days as she continues receiving specialized care.
Miss Universe Season Defined By Controversy, Questions, And Calls For Accountability
As the dust settles on one of the most chaotic Miss Universe seasons in recent memory, the organization now finds itself facing scrutiny on multiple fronts. Omar Harfouch’s vow to pursue legal action has intensified existing concerns about transparency and fairness, while the viral confrontation involving Miss Universe Thailand’s president has only amplified public debate about how contestants are treated behind the scenes.
And with Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry still hospitalized in the ICU after her terrifying fall, the global pageant community has shifted from admiration to alarm.
