Just days before the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, two judges have resigned, sparking controversy over the competition’s selection process.
Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch announced his resignation from the eight-member jury on Instagram, alleging that an “impromptu jury” had pre-selected finalists ahead of the event scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2025. Hours later, French football manager Claude Makélélé also stepped down, citing “unforeseen personal reasons.”
Harfouch claimed that the unofficial jury, composed of individuals with potential conflicts of interest due to personal connections with contestants, was tasked with choosing 30 finalists from the 136 participating countries, bypassing the official jury entirely. He stated that he learned of this arrangement via social media.
The Miss Universe Organisation swiftly denied the claims, emphasizing that “no external group has been authorised to evaluate delegates or select finalists.” The organisation suggested that Harfouch may have confused the official judging process with the Beyond the Crown programme, a separate social impact initiative with its own independent selection committee.
Makélélé described his resignation as a “difficult decision” but reiterated his respect for the Miss Universe platform, praising its commitment to empowerment, diversity, and excellence.
These resignations follow earlier tensions at a pre-pageant event in Thailand, where Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, and other contestants walked out after the country’s pageant director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, criticized Bosch over her social media activity. The incident, widely shared online, prompted the Miss Universe Organisation to intervene, sending international executives to oversee the competition.
The controversy adds to a turbulent lead-up for the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, raising questions about transparency and fairness in the judging process.
