Miss Universe in Crisis? Two Judges Resign Amid Judging Controversy

Two judges pulled out from the Miss Universe 2025 competition right before the show. Why? Omar Harfouch cited concerns about a lack of transparency. Specifically, he suggested that an “impromptu jury” pre-selected finalists. This raised questions about fairness. Former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makélélé also resigned, pointing to “unforeseen personal reasons.”

Harfouch’s accusations landed pretty hard. He claimed some jury members had potential conflicts of interest. He said this cast doubt on the integrity of the vote. Miss Universe organizers quickly responded. They denied the existence of this shadow jury. They also reiterated that all judging followed established protocols. Still, the damage was done.
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It’s worth noting, this kind of drama isn’t entirely new to the pageant world. Controversy seems to follow these events. What strikes me, though, is how quickly this played out on social media. Public resignations and immediate rebuttals are becoming the norm. Miss Universe acted fast to control the narrative. They even threatened legal action against Harfouch if he continued to use their trademarks.

This situation unveils the pressures these organizations face. It highlights the need to balance tradition with modern demands for transparency. Pageants are evolving. Expect greater scrutiny and maybe even more public disagreements as they navigate this shift. The core question is whether Miss Universe can adapt and rebuild trust. The audience is watching closely.

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Keywords: Miss Universe, judging controversy, judges resign, Omar Harfouch, Claude Makll, transparency, pageant drama, Miss Universe 2025