Omar Harfouch, a judge for Miss Universe 2025, has resigned just days before the competition’s final event scheduled for November 21, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. His resignation stems from serious allegations regarding integrity and transparency within the selection process.
Resignation Sparks Controversy
Harfouch’s decision to step down came after he claimed that a secret committee had already selected the top 30 finalists without the involvement of the official judges. He made these accusations via social media, expressing concerns over a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest within the judging panel.
Allegations of Pre-selection
According to Harfouch, the unofficial jury involved individuals connected through personal relationships to various contestants, raising significant ethical questions. He specifically mentioned an alleged affair between a committee member and a contestant, which he regarded as a clear conflict of interest.
- Harfouch claimed the pre-selected finalists were identified before the preliminary rounds.
- The allegations included improper relationships that violated expected conflict of interest regulations.
Contestants Support Judge’s Claims
An anonymous contestant echoed Harfouch’s concerns, describing the pre-selection process as “heartbreaking.” Many contestants believed they were misled about the integrity of the selection process. This contestant expressed gratitude toward Harfouch for his commitment to fairness, stating, “He showed the very leadership Miss Universe claims to celebrate.”
Miss Universe Organization’s Response
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) quickly countered Harfouch’s claims, denying the existence of any impromptu jury and asserting that the selection process adhered to established protocols. Following his departure, they publicly banned him from any future association with the organization, emphasizing that all evaluations are undertaken with transparency.
- MUO stated, “No external group has been authorized to evaluate delegates.”
- They restated their commitment to adhering to transparent and supervised evaluation methods.
The upcoming Miss Universe event promises to be closely watched, especially in light of these controversies. The pageant is set to be held at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand, and will feature contestants from around the globe, including Manika Vishwakarma from India.
As tensions continue to rise, the scrutiny surrounding the Miss Universe competition raises critical questions about ethics and governance within such high-profile events.
