Two members of the Miss Universe judging panel have abruptly stepped down just days before the global pageant, triggering renewed controversy around the event’s integrity.
One of the judges alleges that the competition’s selection process has been secretly influenced by an unauthorised group.
Two judges for the Miss Universe pageant have stepped down just days before this year’s event, with one alleging that the contest’s selection process has been manipulated.
Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch announced on Instagram that he was resigning from the eight-member judging panel, claiming that an “impromptu jury” had already chosen finalists ahead of Friday’s competition in Thailand.
Not long after, former French football manager Claude Makélélé also revealed he was withdrawing, citing “unforeseen personal reasons.”
Harfouch’s exit comes two weeks after several contestants walked out of a pre-pageant gathering over remarks made by an official from the host country.
In his post, Harfouch wrote, “An impromptu jury has been formed to select 30 finalists from among the 136 participating countries, without the presence of any of the real [eight] members of the jury, including me,” adding that he learned of the development through social media.
He also alleged that the unofficial group involved “individuals with a significant potential conflict of interest due to some personal relationships with some of the Miss Universe contestants.”
He did not specify how this alleged parallel jury would operate or override the authority of the official panel.
The Miss Universe Organisation responded on Tuesday, firmly rejecting the accusations. It stated that “no external group has been authorised to evaluate delegates or select finalists,” and suggested Harfouch may have confused the process with the Beyond the Crown programme, a separate “social impact initiative” with its own selection team.
In its clarification, the organisation said Harfouch’s claims had “mischaracterised” the programme.
Makélélé, who also announced his departure via Instagram, called his withdrawal a “difficult decision,” adding,“I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard. The platform represents empowerment, diversity, and excellence – values I have always championed throughout my career.”
The pageant was already under fire earlier this month after Thailand’s national director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, reprimanded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during a pre-pageant event for not posting promotional materials on her social media platforms. The incident prompted Bosch and several other contestants to walk out, with some heard shouting at Nawat.
Although Nawat later insisted his comments were misunderstood, the backlash led the Miss Universe Organisation to issue a stern warning and dispatch a team of international executives to assume control of the competition’s operations.
