The Miss Universe 2025 pageant is facing a major controversy as two judges resigned, claiming the competition was rigged. The resignations came after reports that a separate panel had already picked the 30 finalists out of 136 contestants before the official judges could vote.
Omar Harfouch, one of the judges, said the unofficial jury included people with personal connections to some contestants. He added that they controlled the selection process. Speaking about his resignation, he said, “After having a disrespectful conversation … I decided to resign from the jury and refuse to be part of this charade.” His comments have sparked widespread discussion about fairness and transparency in the pageant. The second judge, Claude Makélélé, also resigned, citing personal reasons, but he did not make allegations about rigging.
The Miss Universe organization denied the existence of any outside jury. They insisted that all evaluations follow “the established, transparent … protocols.” Despite this, the controversy has overshadowed what is usually a celebratory event and raised questions about the competition’s integrity.
This scandal highlights ongoing concerns about how decisions are made behind the scenes in beauty pageants. Many observers criticized the organization for not addressing potential conflicts of interest sooner. Others continue to support the judges who stepped down. The situation shows how quickly global attention can shift to controversies, even in glamorous events.
As the pageant moves toward its final rounds, all eyes are on how the organization handles the fallout. The controversy emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in pageants. Fans are watching closely to see whether the remaining judges’ decisions will be respected or further challenged.
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