The Miss Universe Organization defends its official judging process, saying Harfouch misrepresented its procedures and independent initiatives.
Just days before the highly anticipated Miss Universe 2025 finale in Bangkok, Thailand, controversy continues to swirl around the organization.
Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch recently stepped down as a judge, claiming that an “impromptu jury” had pre-selected the finalists ahead of the international competition.
In a series of Instagram stories, Harfouch alleged that 30 finalists had already been chosen from the 136 contestants without the involvement of the official eight-member judging panel, including himself. “The results of this selection are currently being kept secret,” he wrote.
“After a disrespectful conversation with Miss Universe Organization president Raul Rocha regarding the lack of transparency in the voting process, I decided to resign from the jury and refuse to participate in this charade,” he added.
Harfouch also confirmed he would not be contributing the music he composed for the event.
In response, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) denied the allegations, stating that no alternative jury had been formed and that all evaluations remain under the organization’s official, transparent protocols.
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The MUO further clarified that Harfouch may have been referring to its “Beyond the Crown” program—an independent initiative focused on leadership, service, education, health, and charitable work—which operates separately from the Miss Universe competition and its judging process. The organization emphasized that the official panel has always been responsible for selecting finalists.
While acknowledging Harfouch’s decision to step down, the MUO insisted that his claims misrepresented the organization’s procedures and the nature of its initiatives.
This controversy follows a recent incident during a pre-pageant event in Thailand, where several contestants walked out after a heated exchange between Miss Universe Thailand executive director Nawat Itsaragrisil and Mexican representative Fatima Bosch.
The Miss Universe 2025 coronation is scheduled for November 21 in Bangkok. Ahtisa Manalo will represent the Philippines, hoping to secure the country’s fifth Miss Universe title, following the victories of Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).
After a disrespectful conversation with Miss Universe Organization president Raul Rocha regarding the lack of transparency in the voting process, I decided to resign from the jury and refuse to participate in this charade.”
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