Two prominent judges for the Miss Universe 2025 pageant have resigned just days before the event, intensifying a series of controversies that have plagued the competition. Lebanese-French musician and composer Omar Harfouch stepped down on November 19, 2025, publicly accusing organizers of rigging the selection of finalists through a secretive process that bypassed the official jury. Hours later, French football icon Claude Makélélé followed suit, citing personal reasons, though the timing has sparked speculation about deeper issues within the event.
The 74th edition of Miss Universe, scheduled for November 21, 2025, at Bangkok’s Impact Arena in Thailand, features 136 delegates from countries worldwide vying for the crown held by Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig. This year’s pageant, under the ownership of JKN Global Group since 2023, has aimed to emphasize empowerment, diversity, and social impact, but recent events have shifted focus to allegations of unfair practices and poor management. The resignations come amid broader scrutiny, including a high-profile contestant walkout and investigations into promotional activities, raising questions about the organization’s ability to maintain its evolving standards.
Reports suggest a third judge, Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie—the president of the selection committee—also withdrew shortly after, further destabilizing the panel. These developments have drawn global media attention, with outlets highlighting how they erode trust in a pageant that has historically faced criticism for objectification but recently sought to promote inclusivity for all women, regardless of marital or parental status. Organizers have vowed to proceed with a revised jury, but the incidents underscore ongoing challenges in balancing tradition with modern expectations.
Omar Harfouch’s Resignation: Detailed Allegations of a Rigged Process
Omar Harfouch, a renowned Lebanese-French pianist, composer, and producer known for his film scores and humanitarian work, announced his resignation via a series of Instagram Stories on November 19, 2025, expressing deep frustration over what he described as a lack of transparency in the judging process. As one of the original eight official judges, Harfouch claimed he discovered through social media that an “impromptu jury” had been formed to pre-select the top 30 finalists from the 136 participating countries, excluding all real jury members, including himself. He alleged that the results of this selection were being kept secret, undermining the integrity of the competition.
In his posts, Harfouch detailed how the unofficial jury reportedly consisted of individuals with “significant potential conflicts of interest” due to personal relationships with some contestants, including the person tasked with counting votes and managing results. He described this as a “clandestine” operation that could amount to collusion and manipulation, potentially qualifying as fraud in an international event. After confronting Miss Universe officials about the preliminary selection, which he said occurred without the official judges’ involvement, Harfouch noted that they hastily published a list of names on Instagram without clarifying roles, only adding to the confusion.
The breaking point came during what Harfouch called a “disrespectful conversation” with Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú about the voting process’s opacity. He decided to resign immediately, refusing to participate in what he termed a “charade” and declining to perform original music he had composed specifically for the event, which included custom pieces to enhance the pageant’s atmosphere. Harfouch’s background in music and advocacy for cultural diplomacy made his involvement a point of prestige, and he emphasized the emotional toll, including reputational damage from being “misled and publicly used” to lend credibility to a compromised process.
Escalating his claims, Harfouch announced plans to pursue legal action against the organization, citing issues like fraud, abuse of power, corruption, deception, breach of contract, conflict of interest, and emotional damages. He formally warned other judges that continuing could implicate them in “global-scale fraud,” as their participation might be seen as knowingly endorsing a manipulated outcome. These statements, shared publicly, have amplified calls for accountability, with Harfouch’s posts garnering thousands of views and shares, prompting discussions on social media about the ethics of beauty pageants. His allegations align with past criticisms of Miss Universe, such as favoritism in selections, but provide specific details that have forced organizers to respond swiftly.
Claude Makélélé’s Sudden Exit: Personal Reasons Amid Turmoil
Claude Makélélé, the 52-year-old French former professional footballer celebrated for his midfield prowess at clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Marseille, as well as his managerial stints with teams such as Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes, announced his withdrawal from the Miss Universe jury on November 19, 2025, shortly after Harfouch’s revelations. In an Instagram post, Makélélé expressed regret over the “difficult decision,” attributing it to “unforeseen personal reasons” without elaborating further. He praised the pageant as a platform embodying empowerment, diversity, and excellence—values he said resonated with his career journey from a youth in the Democratic Republic of Congo to global stardom.
Makélélé apologized sincerely to the organization, contestants, and all involved parties, hoping to contribute under better circumstances in the future. His involvement was viewed as a strategic choice by organizers to attract sports fans and underscore the pageant’s modern inclusivity, given his status as a Premier League icon and advocate for youth development through his foundation. However, the proximity to Harfouch’s exit has led to widespread speculation that the rigging claims or overall disarray may have influenced his choice, though he has not addressed this directly. Media reports note that Makélélé’s post received supportive comments from fans and former teammates, highlighting his reputation for integrity in a high-pressure field.
As a trailblazer who redefined the defensive midfielder role—earning the moniker “Makélélé Role”—his departure adds a layer of celebrity intrigue to the scandal. Observers point out that while his statement avoids controversy, the pattern of resignations within hours suggests internal pressures, possibly including concerns over the event’s reputation. Makélélé’s career, marked by World Cup and Champions League triumphs, positions him as a figure who prioritizes ethical alignments, potentially amplifying the impact of his quiet exit on public perception.
Third Judge’s Withdrawal: Princess Camilla Joins the Exodus
Compounding the instability, Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, an Italian royal and president of the Miss Universe selection committee, became the third judge to drop out on November 20, 2025, just one day before the finals. Known for her philanthropy in arts and culture, as well as her lineage tracing back to European nobility, the princess cited personal commitments in her brief announcement, mirroring Makélélé’s vagueness. Her role in the selection committee made her exit particularly notable, as it directly ties to the processes Harfouch criticized.
Details on her decision remain sparse, with no public elaboration on Instagram or official channels, but sources indicate it followed urgent consultations with organizers. The princess’s involvement was intended to bring elegance and international prestige to the panel, aligning with Miss Universe’s push for diverse, influential voices. Her withdrawal has prompted the organization to finalize a revised jury lineup, including replacements like entertainment executives and activists, to ensure the event moves forward. This third resignation underscores a pattern of high-profile pullouts, potentially signaling broader dissatisfaction among the panel.
Miss Universe Organization’s Firm Denial and Clarifications
In response to Harfouch’s explosive claims, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) released an official statement on Instagram on November 19, 2025, categorically denying the existence of any impromptu or unauthorized jury. They affirmed that all evaluations, including finalist selections, adhere to “established, transparent, and supervised MUO protocols,” with no external groups permitted to influence outcomes. The organization suggested Harfouch’s confusion stemmed from the “Beyond the Crown” program, a separate social impact initiative launched on November 18, which features its own independent committee for recognizing delegates’ advocacy work, unrelated to the main competition judging.
MUO described Harfouch’s portrayal of the program as a “mischaracterization” and respectfully acknowledged his withdrawal, while prohibiting him from using any Miss Universe trademarks or references in future communications. They urged the public, media, and fans to rely on verified MUO sources and continue supporting the delegates for their leadership and dedication. Regarding the other resignations, the organization issued brief notes expressing respect for personal decisions and confirming the event’s continuity with an adjusted panel, emphasizing their commitment to protecting participants’ dignity. CEO Mario Bucaro and President Raúl Rocha have overseen these responses, highlighting internal reforms since the 2022 acquisition to address past inequities.
Critics argue the statement, while defensive, lacks specifics on how selections are conducted, fueling ongoing debates about pageant transparency. MUO’s history includes adapting to inclusivity changes, such as allowing married mothers to compete since 2022, but these scandals test their credibility. The organization has also faced legal threats from Harfouch, who detailed potential claims for damages, prompting MUO to prepare for possible litigation while focusing on the live broadcast.
Earlier Controversies: The Thailand Walkout and Leadership Fallout
The judges’ resignations build on scandals that erupted earlier in November 2025, centered on Thailand’s hosting role. On November 5, during a pre-pageant sashing ceremony in Bangkok, Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berated Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch for insufficient social media promotion, calling her “dumb” in viral videos—a term he later claimed was a mistranslation of frustration like “damage” or “damn it.” Bosch, a 25-year-old entrepreneur and advocate for women’s rights, stood up and walked out, joined in solidarity by reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark, Miss Canada Jaime VandenBerg, Miss Iraq Hanin Al Qoreishy, and others, who shouted protests at Itsaragrisil.
The incident, captured on video and shared widely, sparked international outrage for contradicting the pageant’s empowerment message, with Bosch later stating it felt like a violation of respect for women. MUO condemned the behavior, postponing the ceremony and dispatching executives, including CEO Bucaro, to Thailand to assume control. Itsaragrisil issued a tearful apology at a press conference and the welcome event, expressing remorse and committing to the event’s success, but Rocha restricted his participation, limiting or eliminating his involvement to prevent further disruptions. This move addressed his history of controversies, including past remarks on contestant weight and relationships.
Additional issues include a Thai police probe into pageant promotional materials linked to an online gambling site, which MUO denied involvement in, attributing it to local partners. Unverified rumors of a judge-contestant affair have circulated, adding to the chaos. These events have prompted reflections on Thailand’s hosting, selected for its vibrant culture and tourism boost, but now under scrutiny for organizational lapses. Despite the turmoil, delegates have continued activities like charity visits and cultural tours, showcasing resilience amid the backdrop of global attention.
Implications for the Pageant and Its Future
As the Miss Universe 2025 finals loom on November 21, the combined weight of resignations, walkouts, and allegations has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory milestone. With a revised jury now in place, organizers are streamlining the competition format, which includes swimsuit, evening gown, and Q&A segments judged on poise, intelligence, and advocacy. The event, broadcast live on platforms like Hulu and MTV, is expected to draw millions, but viewership may dip due to the negative publicity.
These scandals highlight systemic challenges in the beauty industry, from conflicts of interest to cultural sensitivities in international events. For delegates, many first-time representatives from diverse nations, the focus remains on their platforms—ranging from climate action to mental health—offering a counterpoint to the drama. MUO’s responses aim to restore faith, but experts suggest deeper reforms, like independent audits, could prevent future crises. As the crown is passed, the pageant stands at a crossroads, balancing spectacle with substance in an era demanding authenticity.
