Miss Universe Rigging And Scandal

Crown in Crisis: Rigging Claims and Resignations Rock Miss Universe

The Miss Universe pageant finds itself engulfed in a severe crisis just days before its grand finale in Thailand. Two prominent judges have abruptly quit the panel, with one publicly alleging that the competition is rigged. The scandal erupted when Omar Harfouch, a musician of Lebanese and French heritage, announced his immediate resignation, claiming a secret group had predetermined the finalists. This was swiftly followed by the departure of celebrated football manager from France, Claude Makélélé, who explained his exit was due to personal reasons. These events have cast a dark shadow over the competition, which was already dealing with the fallout from a separate controversy involving a senior Thai official and Miss Mexico. The integrity of the world-renowned pageant now faces intense public scrutiny as organisers scramble to manage the escalating situation and reassure contestants and fans alike.

A Bombshell from the Jury Box

Omar Harfouch delivered his shocking accusations via a public post on Instagram, ensuring maximum impact. He detailed his discovery of what he termed a body he called an 'impromptu jury' operating entirely outside the official eight-member panel. According to Harfouch, this unauthorised body was tasked with narrowing down the 136 international contestants to a list of just 30 finalists. This pre-selection, he claimed, occurred without the knowledge or participation of the official judges, including himself. The musician stated he had learned of this arrangement through social media, a revelation that prompted his decision to step away from what he described as a charade lacking transparency. His public denunciation immediately raised serious questions about the fairness and legitimacy of the pageant's judging process, sending shockwaves through the global pageant community just before its most important event.

The Spectre of Conflicts of Interest

Elaborating on his claims, Omar Harfouch asserted that the secret jury was compromised by significant conflicts of interest. He alleged that the unofficial group consisted of individuals who had private connections to certain competitors in the pageant. Such connections, he argued, inherently undermine the impartiality required to judge a competition of this stature fairly. Harfouch specifically pointed out that this secret panel included the very person responsible for counting the votes, a situation he deemed a blatant conflict. While he did not provide specific names or detail exactly how this unofficial body would supersede the decisions made by the official panel, his allegations painted a damning picture of a process vulnerable to manipulation. The claims suggest a system where personal connections could potentially influence the outcome, striking at the core principles of fair competition that the organisation purports to uphold.

Organisation Pushes Back Firmly

In response, the pageant's parent body moved swiftly to counter the damaging allegations made by Omar Harfouch. In a formal statement, the body categorically denied that any unauthorised external group had been given the power to assess contestants or choose the finalists for the competition. They insisted that the judging process remained secure and followed established, transparent protocols under strict supervision. The organisation's rebuttal aimed to reassure the public and participants that the integrity of the pageant was intact despite the controversy. By directly addressing and refuting the claims, the pageant's leadership sought to control the narrative and mitigate the fallout from Harfouch's explosive departure. Their message was clear: the official rules were being followed, and any suggestion otherwise was a misrepresentation of their procedures.

The 'Beyond the Crown' Explanation

In its official response, the pageant's leadership offered a potential explanation for what it termed Omar Harfouch's "confusion". They suggested he might have mistaken a separate initiative, known as the 'Beyond the Crown' programme, for a part of the official judging process. The organisation described this as a project focused on social impact which functions separately from the primary pageant, utilising its own distinct selection committee. Leadership claimed that Harfouch had fundamentally "mischaracterised" the nature and function of this initiative. By presenting this alternative context, the organisation attempted to reframe the allegations as a simple misunderstanding rather than an issue of corruption or rigging, hoping to restore confidence in the pageant's established procedures.

Makélélé Makes a Quiet Exit

Hours after Omar Harfouch’s public outcry, former football star Claude Makélélé also revealed his withdrawal from the judging panel. In stark contrast to Harfouch’s fiery allegations, Makélélé's departure was handled with quiet diplomacy. He released a statement on Instagram, explaining his choice was due to unexpected private matters. Makélélé called his departure a tough choice and took care to express his continued high regard for the Miss Universe platform. He praised the organisation for representing values of excellence, empowerment, and diversity, which he noted were principles he had championed throughout his own successful career. His more measured and professional exit added another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama, leaving observers to wonder about the internal state of the judging panel.

An Earlier Storm in Thailand

The judges' resignations compounded a controversy that had already erupted two weeks prior during a preliminary function in Thailand. The incident involved Nawat Itsaragrisil, a powerful Thai businessman serving as a pageant executive, and Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch. During a livestreamed sashing ceremony, Itsaragrisil openly criticized Fátima Bosch for what he claimed was her failure to share promotional material through her online profiles. He accused her of refusing to participate in a photoshoot and acting on instructions from her national director to undermine the host country. The confrontation escalated dramatically when Itsaragrisil reportedly called Bosch "dumb" and ordered security to remove her from the room as she attempted to defend herself.

Viral Outrage and a Sharp Rebuke

The public dressing-down of Fátima Bosch provoked an immediate and powerful reaction from her fellow contestants. As the tense exchange unfolded, several other women, including the reigning Miss Universe, left the gathering in a remarkable show of solidarity. Videos of the incident quickly spread across social media, sparking global outrage among pageant fans and observers. The backlash prompted a sharp and decisive response from the pageant's governing body. It publicly condemned Nawat Itsaragrisil’s conduct and dispatched a team of global leaders to Thailand to assume direct control over the competition’s management, effectively sidelining the local organisers. Itsaragrisil later issued a public apology, claiming his comments had been misinterpreted.

A Pageant Under New Leadership

These recent controversies have unfolded under a new and historic ownership structure for the pageant's governing body. In 2022, Thai media mogul and transgender rights advocate Anne Jakrajutatip acquired the company for $20 million through her firm, JKN Global Group. This landmark purchase made her the first woman and first transgender woman to own the pageant in its seven-decade history. Jakrajutatip, a celebrity in Thailand and a vocal proponent of LGBTQ+ rights, immediately promised a new era for the brand. She envisioned transforming the competition from a traditional beauty pageant into a global platform for women's empowerment and "transformational leadership". Her acquisition was initially hailed as a progressive step forward for the storied brand.

Jakrajutatip's Vision of Empowerment

Anne Jakrajutatip swiftly implemented sweeping changes to align the pageant with her vision of inclusivity and empowerment. One of her first major reforms was to abolish long-standing rules that restricted participation, opening the competition to mothers, married women, and divorced women for the first time. Building on the previous administration's decision to allow transgender contestants, her leadership sought to create a platform that reflected the true diversity of modern womanhood. Jakrajutatip reframed the pageant not as a contest of physical beauty alone, but as a search for a "transformational leader" who could serve as an inspiration. This progressive agenda makes the recent turmoil over alleged rigging and disrespectful behaviour particularly damaging to the brand's new identity.

The Financial Turbulence of JKN Global

Adding another layer of pressure to the situation, the pageant's parent company, JKN Global Group, finds itself navigating severe financial difficulties. In late 2023, the Thai media company filed for bankruptcy protection after missing a deadline to repay bonds worth approximately $12 million. The company publicly announced it was seeking a business rehabilitation plan to resolve what it termed a "liquidity problem". While JKN assured the public that pageant operations would continue, the financial instability has created a challenging backdrop for the organisation. Creditors have since raised concerns about the company's management, particularly regarding the subsequent sale of a 50% stake in Miss Universe to a Mexican businessman, which they claimed was not properly approved.

Pressure Mounts on New Ownership

The combination of financial distress and public scandal has placed Anne Jakrajutatip’s leadership team under immense pressure. The bankruptcy proceedings have led to court-appointed oversight of JKN Global Group's operations, including the management of the global pageant. This external scrutiny limits the company’s autonomy as it tries to steer the pageant through its current crises. The financial constraints inevitably impact the resources available for producing a seamless, world-class event. The recent controversies in Thailand, from the conduct of a key executive to allegations against the judging process, reflect the immense operational challenges of managing a global brand while simultaneously undergoing a complex corporate restructuring. The dream of a new, empowered era for Miss Universe is being tested by harsh financial and reputational realities.

Omar Harfouch: Musician and Provocateur

The man at the centre of the rigging allegations, Omar Harfouch, is a multifaceted public figure. A Lebanese-French composer and pianist, he studied music in the former Soviet Union and has performed his work in prominent venues around the world. Beyond his artistic pursuits, Harfouch is a successful businessman with a media group in Ukraine and ownership of the French magazine Entrevue. He is no stranger to the public eye, having participated in reality television in France and established himself as a fixture in high-society circles. Harfouch is also an activist, known for his anti-corruption work related to Lebanon and his advocacy for peace through music, which has earned him several awards. His willingness to publicly challenge a major global organisation aligns with his established profile as a confident and outspoken personality.

Nawat Itsaragrisil: A Pageant Power Broker

Nawat Itsaragrisil, the executive whose confrontation with Miss Mexico sparked the initial controversy, is a major force in the pageant world. A well-known Thai media personality and businessman, he began his career hosting television shows before moving into pageant production. He is the founder and president of his own international pageant, Miss Grand International, which was established in 2013. This positions him as a direct competitor to Miss Universe, making their recent collaboration to host the 2025 event in Thailand a surprising development. His acquisition of the Miss Universe Thailand licence further solidified his influence, making him a central figure in both rival organisations and creating a complex dynamic of cooperation and competition.

The Competing Worlds of Beauty

The relationship between the pageant's governing body and Nawat Itsaragrisil’s Miss Grand International is a critical subplot to the current drama. For years, the two pageants have been rivals, competing for audiences, sponsors, and contestants. Miss Grand International is known for its flashy, entertainment-focused productions, while Miss Universe has traditionally positioned itself as the more prestigious and elegant brand. The decision to have Nawat's team produce the Miss Universe event in Thailand marked a significant, if unusual, alliance. However, this partnership also introduces potential conflicts. Nawat has a history of making controversial remarks, including once implying a Miss Universe result was rigged, making his role as a host and executive a delicate one for the brand.

Not the First Miss Universe Scandal

While the current crisis is severe, the Miss Universe competition is no stranger to controversy. Throughout its long history, the competition has faced numerous scandals that have challenged its reputation. During Donald Trump's ownership from 1996 to 2015, he was accused of fat-shaming Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado, whom he reportedly called "Miss Piggy". In 2002, the winner from Russia, Oxana Fedorova, was dethroned after just four months for allegedly failing to fulfil her duties. One of the most infamous moments occurred in 2015 when host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced the wrong winner on live television. These past incidents demonstrate the pageant's resilience, but also highlight its recurring vulnerability to human error and scandal.

The Evolving Relevance of Beauty Pageants

The recent turmoil at Miss Universe occurs within a broader cultural debate about the relevance and purpose of beauty pageants in the modern era. Critics have long argued that such competitions objectify women and promote narrow, outdated standards of beauty. Proponents, including the new ownership, contend that pageants have evolved into platforms that empower women, celebrate diversity, and provide opportunities for advocacy and leadership. The global brand has made significant strides towards inclusivity, but incidents of bullying and allegations of rigged outcomes risk reinforcing negative stereotypes. This latest crisis forces the organisation to once again defend its mission and prove it is a genuine force for good in a world that is increasingly sceptical of its format.

A Cloud Over the Thailand Final

The twin controversies have cast a pall over the upcoming final in Thailand. The event, which should be a celebration of women from around the globe, is now clouded by uncertainty and suspicion. Contestants must now perform under the shadow of doubt, wondering if the competition is being judged fairly. The departures of two judges at the eleventh hour disrupt the panel's balance and create a logistical headache for the organisers. For the global audience, the allegations of a fixed outcome threaten to undermine the credibility of the eventual winner's victory. The organisation faces the daunting task of staging a spectacular finale while simultaneously managing a full-blown reputational crisis that has captured international headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Restoring Faith in the Crown

The immediate challenge for the pageant's leadership is to restore faith in its process. The leadership must take visible and convincing steps to demonstrate that the competition is, and always will be, fair and transparent. This may require an independent review of the judging protocols to address the concerns raised by Omar Harfouch. Clear communication and accountability will be essential in the coming days. The organisation needs to reassure contestants, national directors, and the public that every woman has an equal opportunity to win the crown based on merit alone. Failure to adequately address these allegations could cause long-term damage to the brand, potentially deterring future contestants, sponsors, and broadcast partners who value integrity above all else.

The Contestants Amid the Chaos

Caught in the middle of this storm are the 136 contestants who have travelled to Thailand from all over the world. These women have dedicated years of their lives to preparing for this one moment on the global stage, undergoing rigorous training in public speaking, advocacy, and performance. For them, the controversy is more than just a headline; it is a direct threat to the dream they have worked so hard to achieve. The public disputes and rigging allegations create a stressful and distracting environment, detracting from their ability to perform at their best. Their personal journeys of ambition and dedication risk being overshadowed by a scandal that is entirely outside of their control, a deeply unfair consequence of the turmoil surrounding them.

A Crossroads for the Universe

The pageant's governing body is at a critical crossroads. It is simultaneously battling a financial restructuring, a public relations disaster stemming from the conduct of a key partner, and now, a direct assault on the integrity of its competition. The confluence of these crises presents perhaps the greatest challenge in the pageant's modern history. How the leadership navigates this turbulent period will define the brand's future. It can either succumb to the weight of scandal and financial woe or use this moment as a catalyst for genuine, transparent reform. The coming weeks will determine whether the crown can be polished and its legacy restored, or if its sparkle will be permanently dimmed.