Miss Universe Judges Quit Amid Allegations of Rigged Finalist Selection
Two judges of the upcoming Miss Universe pageant have resigned, citing concerns over the selection process. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch claimed finalists were pre-selected by an unofficial jury, while French football manager Claude Makélélé cited personal reasons. The Miss Universe Organisation denied the allegations and clarified the structure of its Beyond the Crown initiative.
Judges Resign Days Before Competition
Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch announced his resignation from the eight-member Miss Universe jury on Instagram, alleging that an “impromptu jury” had pre-selected finalists ahead of the competition, scheduled for Friday in Thailand.
Harfouch claimed that the unofficial jury included individuals with potential conflicts of interest due to personal relationships with contestants, effectively sidelining the official panel. He said he discovered this arrangement through social media and expressed concern that it compromised the fairness of the competition.
Hours later, French football manager Claude Makélélé also announced his withdrawal, citing “unforeseen personal reasons” in a brief Instagram post. Both resignations have intensified scrutiny of the pageant just days before its annual event.
Allegations Spark Questions on Pageant Transparency
Harfouch’s allegations follow a series of controversies that began two weeks ago, when several contestants walked out of a pre-pageant event. The protest was triggered by public comments from Thailand’s Miss Universe director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, who reportedly criticized Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, for not promoting the pageant on social media.
Videos from the incident show Bosch and other contestants leaving the stage and confronting Nawat, prompting international attention. Although Nawat later claimed his remarks were misinterpreted, the Miss Universe Organisation responded by sending senior executives to oversee the event’s operations, signaling concern over proper conduct and contestant treatment.
Miss Universe Organisation Responds
In a statement, the Miss Universe Organisation denied Harfouch’s claims, asserting that no external group was authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists. Officials suggested that Harfouch may have confused the situation with the Beyond the Crown programme, a social impact initiative separate from the official pageant.
The organisation clarified that Beyond the Crown has its own independent selection committee and operates outside the competition’s judging process. It also said Harfouch’s allegations misrepresented the programme, emphasizing that the official jury remains responsible for finalist selection.
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Impact on Pageant and Public Perception
Makélélé, who also resigned via Instagram, framed his decision as difficult, noting his respect for the Miss Universe platform. “I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard. The platform represents empowerment, diversity, and excellence – values I have always championed throughout my career,” he wrote.
Observers suggest that the resignations, combined with prior incidents, could affect public confidence in the pageant’s transparency and fairness. The Miss Universe Organisation faces pressure to demonstrate integrity while managing the event, which features contestants from 136 countries.
Background of Controversies
The pageant’s Thailand-hosted edition has already seen heightened tensions. Earlier protests by contestants were widely circulated online, drawing criticism of management practices and social media expectations. The incident underscores broader concerns about contestant welfare and the balance between promotional obligations and fair competition.
As the competition approaches, the organisation must navigate these controversies while ensuring a credible and smoothly-run pageant. The resignations of two high-profile judges further highlight the challenge of maintaining trust and accountability in an event of this global scale.
Source: BBC – Two Miss Universe judges quit scandal-hit pageant, as one claims it’s rigged
