Emily Flores
Beauty pageants promise fairytale endings, yet the latest Miss Universe drama feels closer to a courtroom thriller. Just days before the 2025 finale in Thailand, two high-profile judges walked away. If pageants sound like harmless background TV to you, this story asks for a closer look.
Who Just Walked Off The Stage
Start with an unexpected duo. Lebanese French composer Omar Harfouch, known for high society concerts and peace projects, resigned first. He then accused Miss Universe organizers of running a âsecretâ committee that preselected 30 finalists out of 136 contestants before official judges arrived.
Right after his exit, former Chelsea and Real Madrid star Claude Makelele also quit the panel, officially citing âunforeseen personal reasons.â His statement praised Miss Universe for empowerment and diversity, yet he stepped away days before the show, right as Harfouchâs claims flooded social media and sports headlines.
How The Alleged âImpromptu Juryâ Worked
Hereâs where things turn strange. Harfouch says he signed on to judge 136 contestants, only to discover online that an unapproved âimpromptu juryâ had already chosen the Top 30. He claims at least one member of that group had a romantic relationship with a contestant, which he describes as a direct conflict of interest.
He raised those concerns with Miss Universe owner Raul Rocha and says he received a brush-off. Harfouch then resigned, pulled his musical performance, consulted a New York law firm, and publicly floated legal action that included possible fraud and abuse of power. For a show built on smiles and sequins, the language suddenly sounds very legal.
To keep things balanced, the Miss Universe Organization flatly rejects his story. Officials say the list he saw belonged to a separate âBeyond the Crownâ program, describe the judging process as regulated, and even banned Harfouch from using Miss Universe branding going forward. That response turns a backstage argument into a very public breakup.
Pageant Drama Has A Long Memory
Zoom out for a second, and the pattern looks familiar. In 2023, Miss Universe cut ties with its Indonesian franchise after contestants said organizers forced them to strip for âbody checksâ during the national pageant. The organization canceled a planned Malaysia event and promised higher standards.
More recently, critics cried foul after Gloria Estefanâs niece won a Miss Universe title, accusing pageant leadership of playing favorites. That controversy added to a steady drumbeat of claims about bias, bullying, and questionable management across related competitions, including Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
What You Take Away From The Glitter
You may never tune in for every swimsuit pass or national costume, yet this story still matters. Two judges walked away, one claims secret committees and romantic entanglements, the organizer insists everything stays fair, and fans sit in the middle trying to decide whom to trust.
When the crown settles into place, think about how much activity stays hidden from the audience. Backstage decisions can reshape the night in an instant, and contestants feel that shift more than anyone. Watch with curiosity, and let each twist sharpen your sense of what really matters in the moment.