Two Miss Universe Judges Resign Amid Rigging Allegations

Two judges have resigned from the Miss Universe international beauty pageant, raising serious concerns about the competition’s integrity. As the event nears its conclusion in Bangkok, allegations of rigging have surfaced, prompting one judge to consider legal action.

Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French composer, announced his resignation from the eight-member panel via Instagram on November 7, 2023. He accused the pageant of conducting a “secret vote” to preselect the top 30 contestants from an initial pool of 136. Harfouch expressed his disillusionment with the process, claiming he was “misled and publicly used” to lend credibility to an already compromised election.

In a follow-up statement, Harfouch indicated that he might pursue a lawsuit against the Miss Universe Organization, citing emotional trauma and damage to his reputation. He alleged that a member of the unofficial group involved in the voting had a personal relationship with one of the contestants, raising questions about the fairness of the selection process.

The Miss Universe Organization has denied these allegations, stating on Instagram that there was no unofficial jury and that all evaluations adhered to their established, transparent protocols. The group that Harfouch referred to, they clarified, was the official selection committee for a separate social impact initiative.

A second judge, former French soccer star Claude Makélélé, also announced his resignation on the same day, citing “unforeseen personal reasons.” He expressed his respect for the pageant, stating that stepping down was a difficult decision.

The Miss Universe pageant, which began on November 5, 2023, has faced scrutiny in recent weeks. Earlier this month, several contestants staged a walkout after Nawat Itsaragrisil, a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, publicly criticized Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, for not participating in promotional activities. Itsaragrisil later apologized for the incident, and fellow co-owner Raul Rocha Cantú emphasized the importance of treating contestants with respect.

Adding to the tumult, Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, was hospitalized after falling off the stage during the preliminary evening gown round.

Founded in 1952 by a California swimwear brand, the Miss Universe competition has evolved into a significant business venture. Historically, it has passed through the hands of various male executives, including former President Donald Trump, who owned the rights from 1996 until 2022. In 2022, the pageant was sold to Thai businesswoman Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip for approximately $20 million.

Despite some progress under Jakrajutatip’s leadership, including the inclusion of married women and mothers in the competition, Miss Universe continues to grapple with issues related to viewership and criticism over its treatment of women. Allegations of sexual harassment and rigging have persisted, casting a shadow over its legacy as it strives to modernize.

As the competition draws to a close, the developments surrounding these resignations and allegations highlight ongoing challenges within the pageant industry. The Miss Universe Organization has yet to release a detailed response to these recent events as they unfold.