Two Miss Universe Judges Resign Just Days Before the Controversial Pageant

Just days ahead of the final gala to take place on Friday, November 21, in Thailand, two judges at the Miss Universe pageant have left the event. Lebanese-French composer Omar Harfouch and French soccer manager Claude Makélélé announced on social media that they will not be judging contestants.

Harfouch revealed his news on social media, citing serious concerns about the transparency of the selection process. On November 18, 2025, he took to his Instagram Stories to allege that an "impromptu jury" had been assembled to choose the Top 30 finalists from the 136 contestants, circumventing the official judges.

Harfouch claimed the unauthorized body included individuals with personal ties to contestants, among them the person tasked with vote counting, thereby creating a conflict of interest. According to Harfouch, the established eight-member judging panel had been excluded from this early round of selection.

Following exchanges with Miss Universe Organization (MUO) leadership, Harfouch described a "disrespectful conversation" with MUO CEO Raúl Rocha and announced he would not only resign but also withhold the musical piece he had prepared for the event.

In response, the MUO published a statement via its official Instagram profile, categorically rejecting Harfouch's claims. The statement reiterated that no external jury had been authorized and that standard evaluation protocols remained in place.

The organisation said: "Given Mr. Harfouch's expressed confusion, his public mischaracterisation of the program, and his stated desire not to participate, the Miss Universe Organization respectfully acknowledges his withdrawal from the official judging panel."

A participating contestant, speaking anonymously to PEOPLE magazine, expressed sadness and a sense of betrayal after hearing about the allegations through social media rather than from MUO directly. She described herself as "heartbroken" to learn the Top 30 may have been predetermined.

Harfouch responded to MUO on his social media, using their own statement as evidence of his initial claims of the "impromptu jury," writing that they "recognised in an official statement the existence of a secret entity called "Beyond the Crown", who eliminated 100 contestants in closing ceremony. For me, Omar Harfouch, member of the jury of Miss Univers [sic], I consider that this is illegal ."

Makélélé, a former soccer player known for his time for his midfield career with Chelsea F.C. and Real Madrid CF, announced on his social media that he, too, would not be participating in this year's pageant. He wrote, "It is with regret that I must announce that I won't be able to attend the Miss Universe 2025 event due to unforeseen personal reasons."

At the time of publication, neither Makélélé nor the Miss Universe organization had released a statement regarding his departure, but this is not the only controversy that the pageant has faced this year.

Earlier this month, at a pre-pageant sash-presentation event in Thailand, the pageant's director for the host country, Nawat Itsaragrisil, publicly criticized Mexico's delegate, Fátima Bosch, accusing her of failing to participate in a promotional shoot.

The exchange was captured on livestream, and Itsaragrisil reportedly publicly called Bosch "dumb" and had security escort her out when she attempted to defend herself. Several other contestants walked out in solidarity. In the aftermath, Rocha announced the Thai director's participation in official events would be restricted.

A separate incident involved the Israeli delegate, Melanie Shiraz, who said she began receiving death and rape threats after a viral clip appeared to show her giving a disdainful look towards the Palestinian contestant, Nadeen Ayoub. Shiraz claimed the footage may have been edited and allegedly showed a cameraman signalling the Palestinian candidate.

Also, this year, MUO filed a lawsuit against the former CEO of its U.S. franchise, Laylah Rose, for creating a "toxic work environment", failing to pay the 2024 Miss USA winner her promised salary, and withholding scholarship funds from winners of Miss Teen USA.