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| Image: Facebook |
The Miss Universe 2025 competition has been thrown into chaos just days before the grand finale, following the dramatic resignation of two judges — one of whom has accused the organisation of serious misconduct.
The controversy erupted after Lebanese-French composer Omar Harfouch, a member of the eight-person judging panel, announced via Instagram on Tuesday that he was stepping down. In his lengthy statement, Harfouch alleged that a “secret and illegitimate vote” had already been carried out to select the Top 30 contestants even before the official judges arrived.
According to him, people who were not recognised judges took part in the alleged vote, including someone said to have a “personal romantic relationship with a contestant”. He described this as a major “conflict of interest” and potential “manipulation of an international competition.”
Harfouch disclosed that he has hired a New York law firm to explore filing a formal complaint. He accused the Miss Universe Organisation of using his participation to give legitimacy to what he called a compromised process, saying it caused him “emotional trauma and reputational damage.”
In his statement, he warned his fellow judges that staying on the panel could expose them to legal risks, declaring that participation “may legally implicate them in an act of global-scale fraud.”
He wrote:
“I, Omar Harfouch, resigning member of Miss Univers international Jury, wish to inform the public that I have officially consulted one of the leading law firms in New York to examine the potential filing of a formal complaint… The issues under review include, but are not limited to: fraud, abuse of power, corruption, deception, breach of contract, conflict of interest, and emotional and reputational damages.”
Harfouch continued:
“It has come to light that a secret and illegitimate vote was held to determine the Top 30 contestants before the arrival of the official jury… including at least one person with a personal romantic relationship with a contestant… a clear and serious conflict of interest and… manipulation of an international competition.”
He added that he was “misled and publicly used to give credibility to an election process that was already compromised.”
In a separate Instagram post, former football star Claude Makélélé also announced his withdrawal from the judging panel, citing “unforeseen personal reasons.”
He wrote:
“This was a difficult decision, as I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard… I sincerely apologise to the organisation, the contestants, and everyone involved.”
MISS UNIVERSE ORGANISATION RESPONDS
Reacting to Harfouch’s allegations, the Miss Universe Organisation issued a statement rejecting his claims. They said the so-called “secret jury” was actually the selection committee for the Beyond the Crown Program — a social impact initiative entirely separate from the main competition.
The organisation insisted that Harfouch had misunderstood the programme’s purpose, saying his comments incorrectly suggested that unofficial judges had selected finalists.
The statement read:
“No impromptu jury has been created… all competition evaluations continue to follow the established, transparent, and supervised MUO protocols.”
They added that since Harfouch has chosen to withdraw, the organisation accepts his resignation. However, they also prohibited him from using or referencing any Miss Universe trademarks going forward, warning that any such use would trigger legal action.
ONGOING DRAMA AHEAD OF THE FINALE
This crisis follows an earlier protest in which several contestants walked out in solidarity with Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, after she was publicly reprimanded by the Miss Universe Thailand director for missing promotional events.
With the grand finale scheduled for November 21 in Bangkok, the Miss Universe 2025 pageant now faces intense scrutiny amid accusations, resignations, and internal unrest.
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