Key Highlights
- Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, fell off the stage during a preliminary round of the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand.
- The incident occurred on November 19, as part of the evening gown round of the competition.
- The president of the Miss Universe Organization visited Henry and reported she is under good care after sustaining minor wounds.
- Recent scandals have affected the pageant’s reputation, including accusations of a “disrespectful conversation” by judge Omar Harfouch.
Miss Jamaica Falls Off Stage During Miss Universe Preliminary Round in Thailand
The 74th annual Miss Universe pageant faced yet another controversy on November 19, when Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, took a shocking tumble during the evening gown round of the preliminary rounds in Thailand. The incident was captured on social media and has raised concerns about the safety measures in place at such high-profile events.
Incident Details
The 28-year-old physician and advocate was walking across the stage in a long, flowing orange gown when she suddenly fell off the stage, as seen in social media videos of the event. Another video showed a person being taken away in a stretcher, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Response from Organizers
The Miss Universe Organization responded swiftly to the incident. In a statement provided to USA TODAY on November 19, the organization’s president, Rauúl Rocha Cantuú, noted that he had visited Henry and reported she was in stable condition after sustaining “a couple of minor wounds.” According to Cantuú, Dr. Gabrielle Henry is receiving treatment at a hospital in Bangkok and will remain under observation overnight.
In an Instagram post, Cantuú also expressed his relief: “I was there with her family and her, and thankfully, there are no broken bones and she is under good care.”
Recent Controversies Affecting the Pageant
The Miss Universe Thailand director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, faced criticism earlier in November when he called Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, “stupid” during a livestreamed speech to contestants on November 4. The incident led to a walkout from fellow contestants and was characterized by Miss Universe Mexico as “unacceptable.” Although Itsaragrisil apologized tearfully, the organization responded by imposing sanctions against him, almost completely excluding him from the events of the 74th pageant.
On November 18, another judge for the pageant suddenly dropped out ahead of the event. Composer Omar Harfouch accused the organization of “impromptu jury” selections without the presence of the eight “real jury members.” He also claimed to have had a “disrespectful conversation” with Cantuú regarding the “lack of transparency in the Miss Universe voting process.” The organization has publicly denied his accusations.
These recent events highlight the ongoing challenges and controversies facing the Miss Universe pageant, casting doubts on its credibility and transparency.
The fall of Dr. Gabrielle Henry during a critical moment of the competition only adds to these concerns.
Conclusion
The incident involving Miss Jamaica at the Miss Universe preliminary rounds in Thailand serves as another reminder of the high stakes involved in such competitions. As the pageant continues, questions about its organizational structure and safety measures are likely to persist, potentially impacting its future reputation and public perception.
