Alleged Pre-Selection of Finalists
Days before the Miss Universe 2025 finale, judge Omar Harfouch resigned after claiming that an undisclosed committee had already selected the top 30 contestants before the official judging panel ever met. He said he discovered the alleged secret vote through social media and insisted that the results were being deliberately withheld from the official jurors.
Conflict of Interest Accusations
Harfouch alleged that members of this unofficial group had personal ties to contestants, including at least one individual involved in vote counting. He said he confronted senior leadership within the Miss Universe Organization and described the exchange as dismissive and unprofessional. Following that interaction, he withdrew from the judging panel and also pulled a musical performance he had prepared for the event.
Broader Ethical Concerns
In his public statements, Harfouch suggested that the covert process could mislead audiences into believing that the official judges endorsed decisions they never made. He also argued that some eliminated contestants represented politically sensitive regions and that any concealed decision-making could carry heavier implications than typical pageant politics. He further alleged that at least one person involved in the secret vote had a romantic relationship with a contestant, calling it a direct conflict of interest.
Second Judge Steps Down
Soon after Harfouch’s resignation, fellow judge Claude Makélélé also left the panel, attributing his departure to personal reasons. Although he did not comment on the allegations, his exit added more pressure on the organization at a time of escalating scrutiny.
Miss Universe Organization Pushes Back
The Miss Universe Organization rejected the claims, stating that no unauthorized group had any role in selecting finalists. Leadership insisted that all evaluations follow established protocols and emphasized that any internal initiatives referenced by Harfouch were unrelated to the formal judging process. The organization also took steps to distance itself from him, restricting his use of its branding going forward.
Why This Matters
If true, Harfouch’s allegations would undermine the credibility of one of the world’s most recognized pageants by calling into question the fairness and transparency of the selection process. Even if the organization’s rebuttal is accurate, the resignations and public dispute highlight significant trust issues that could damage the brand and the wider pageant industry.
