Scandal hits Miss Universe 2025: Two judges quit over rigging claims

Two judges have resigned from the Miss Universe 2025 judging panel just days before the pageant's finale, intensifying controversies surrounding the event.

Lebanese-French composer Omar Harfouch and former French soccer star Claude Makélélé stepped down, with Harfouch publicly accusing organizers of manipulating the selection process.

The 74th edition of the competition, featuring contestants from 136 countries, is set to take place on Friday, at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Harfouch announced his resignation on Instagram, claiming that an "impromptu jury" had secretly pre-selected 30 finalists without the involvement of the official eight-member panel.

He alleged that this unofficial group included individuals with personal conflicts of interest, such as one person in a romantic relationship with a contestant.

Harfouch described the pageant as a "charade" lacking transparency and said he decided to quit after a disrespectful conversation with Miss Universe Organization (MUO) president Raul Rocha Cantu.

Makélélé, in his own Instagram post, cited "unforeseen personal reasons" for his departure, calling it a "difficult decision."

He expressed continued respect for the pageant as a platform for empowerment, diversity, and excellence, without elaborating on any specific issues related to the allegations.

The MUO swiftly denied Harfouch's claims, stating that no external or impromptu jury was authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists.

The organization suggested that Harfouch may have mischaracterized the "Beyond the Crown" program, a separate social impact initiative with its own independent selection committee announced earlier in the week. MUO emphasized that all competition evaluations adhere to established, transparent protocols.

These resignations come amid a broader crisis for Miss Universe 2025. Earlier, Thai co-owner Nawat Itsaragrisil sparked outrage by berating Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch during a pre-pageant event for not posting promotional content on social media.

The incident led to a brief walkout by several contestants, with viral videos capturing the chaos. Itsaragrisil later apologized, and Rocha rebuked him, vowing not to tolerate humiliation of participants.

Founded in 1952 by a California swimwear company, Miss Universe has evolved into a global spectacle promoting women's empowerment, though it has faced declining viewership and sponsorships in recent years. The organization licenses the brand to national groups and sells broadcast rights, but controversies like these have drawn scrutiny to its operations.

As the finale approaches on November 21, the pageant proceeds under heightened oversight, with international executives dispatched to Thailand.

While the resignations have deepened the scandal, MUO maintains confidence in the process, and the winner will succeed Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig as Miss Universe 2024.