Resignations Rock Miss Universe Pageant Amid Allegations of Rigging

As the Miss Universe pageant approaches, two judges have resigned, with accusations of a rigged selection process overshadowing the event in Thailand.

Two judges, Omar Harfouch and Claude Makélélé, have resigned from the Miss Universe jury amid allegations of a rigged selection process. The former claims an unofficial jury pre-selected finalists without the involvement of official judges. This controversy follows a recent incident where contestants staged a walkout over misconduct from an official. The Miss Universe Organisation has denied these allegations, asserting that no external group was authorized to select finalists.

Two judges of the Miss Universe pageant have resigned just days before the event, alleging serious misconduct regarding the selection of finalists.

Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch announced his resignation on Instagram, claiming that an 'impromptu jury' had pre-selected finalists for the upcoming pageant, which is set to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 21. Harfouch stated that this jury was formed without the knowledge of the official judges, which he described as a breach of protocol.

French football manager Claude Makélélé followed soon after, withdrawing from the jury citing 'unforeseen personal reasons'.

This turmoil comes on the heels of significant controversy surrounding the organization, following an incident in which multiple contestants walked out of a pre-pageant event due to derogatory comments made by a Thai official regarding a contestant from Mexico.

Harfouch expressed his concerns in his Instagram post, detailing that the unofficial jury selected finalists without the presence of the official judges, letting personal relationships complicate the fairness of the competition.

The Miss Universe Organisation responded to Harfouch's allegations, categorically denying that any external group has been authorized to evaluate contestants or select finalists. They suggested Harfouch was misinformed and perhaps referencing the Beyond the Crown program, an initiative that operates separately from the pageant itself.

Makélélé remarked that leaving was a difficult decision as he holds the values of the Miss Universe platform—empowerment, diversity, and excellence—in high esteem. The organization has faced backlash for the conduct of its Thai director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, who has been criticized for his behavior towards contestants.