Two Judges Quit Miss Universe Amid Allegations of Rigged Competition

Published: 19 November 2025 Wednesday . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Controversy has struck the Miss Universe pageant just days ahead of its annual competition in Thailand, as two high-profile judges resigned from the jury, with one accusing the organisers of manipulating the selection process. The resignations have thrown the pageant into the spotlight, raising serious questions about transparency, fairness, and the integrity of one of the world’s most prestigious beauty competitions.

Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch publicly announced his resignation from the eight-member jury on Instagram, claiming that an “impromptu jury” had pre-selected finalists without the involvement of the official judges, including himself. According to Harfouch, the unofficial committee comprised individuals who had personal relationships with some contestants, creating potential conflicts of interest.

“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,” Harfouch wrote on social media on Tuesday. “I only discovered this arrangement through social media posts and was shocked that such a significant decision could be taken without the participation of the legitimate jury.”

Hours later, French football manager Claude Makélélé also announced his withdrawal from the jury, citing “unforeseen personal reasons.” Though Makélélé did not make allegations regarding the rigging of the pageant, his resignation added further uncertainty and drew attention to the mounting unrest surrounding this year’s competition.

The resignations follow a series of incidents that have marred the pre-pageant period, including protests by contestants at a pre-pageant event earlier this month. During the event, Thailand’s Miss Universe director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, made controversial remarks targeting Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, criticizing her for not posting sufficient promotional content on her social media accounts. Video footage of the incident went viral, showing Bosch and several other contestants walking out in protest and expressing their displeasure at the director’s conduct.

The incident prompted a stern response from the Miss Universe Organisation, which sent a team of international executives to take over the management of the competition, underscoring the severity of the situation. The organisation emphasised that any behaviour undermining the dignity of contestants or the integrity of the pageant would not be tolerated.

In response to Harfouch’s allegations, the Miss Universe Organisation issued a statement rejecting claims of pre-selected finalists or interference by an external group. The statement clarified that no external committee had been authorised to select contestants or determine the final lineup. Instead, Harfouch may have been referring to the “Beyond the Crown” programme, a separate initiative focused on social impact and leadership development. This programme operates independently from the main competition and is overseen by its own selection committee.

“The Beyond the Crown initiative is designed to encourage contestants to engage in social causes and leadership projects, but it does not influence the outcomes of the Miss Universe competition,” the organisation stated. “Any suggestion that it determines finalists misrepresents the programme’s purpose and scope.”

Despite these clarifications, Harfouch maintained his criticism, highlighting concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the unofficial jury and questioning the integrity of the selection process. “It is deeply troubling that individuals with personal connections to contestants could be making decisions that affect the official competition,” he said in follow-up posts.

Makélélé’s resignation, while framed as personal, added fuel to the controversy and raised further questions about the organisational transparency and communication between the pageant’s management and its jury members. In his Instagram post, Makélélé expressed his admiration for Miss Universe as a platform celebrating empowerment, diversity, and excellence but explained that personal circumstances required him to step away at this time.

The Miss Universe pageant, which annually features contestants from more than 130 countries, has long been celebrated for providing a global stage to highlight cultural exchange, social initiatives, and female empowerment. However, this year’s incidents have cast a shadow over the event, highlighting ongoing tensions between contestants, judges, and organisers.

Observers note that these controversies come at a time when international scrutiny of beauty pageants is intensifying. Critics have increasingly called for greater transparency, accountability, and fairness in judging procedures, especially in high-stakes competitions that can significantly impact the careers and public profiles of contestants. The resignations of Harfouch and Makélélé underscore the importance of maintaining a transparent and unbiased process, particularly when public perception and contestant trust are at stake.

The viral footage of the Thailand pre-pageant event, combined with the judges’ resignations, has sparked widespread debate on social media, with fans and former contestants weighing in on the fairness of the competition. Many have expressed support for Harfouch, praising his decision to step down rather than participate in a process he considered compromised. Others have called for the Miss Universe Organisation to take further steps to reassure the public and contestants of the integrity of the competition.

Industry insiders suggest that these events could have long-term implications for Miss Universe, prompting reviews of judging protocols, transparency measures, and communication between organisers, contestants, and judges. Maintaining credibility is crucial for the pageant, not only to protect its brand but also to uphold its mission of empowering women globally.

The resignations also shed light on broader challenges faced by international pageants, including balancing entertainment, social impact, and competition integrity. While Miss Universe has historically combined glamour and social initiatives, the current scandal highlights the complexities of operating a global competition with participants from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.

As the competition approaches, all eyes will be on how the Miss Universe Organisation manages the fallout. Ensuring that judging processes are conducted fairly and transparently will be vital to restoring confidence among contestants, judges, and audiences worldwide. Organisers will need to address concerns raised by Harfouch, Makélélé, and other stakeholders, reaffirming their commitment to integrity and fairness while preserving the pageant’s reputation as a platform for empowerment and excellence.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding this year’s Miss Universe pageant serves as a reminder that even long-established institutions are not immune to scrutiny and criticism. The decisions made in the coming days will determine whether the competition can maintain its credibility and continue to celebrate diversity and talent on a global stage. For contestants, judges, and organisers alike, the stakes have never been higher, as the world watches to see whether the pageant can navigate this unprecedented scandal with transparency, fairness, and respect for all involved.