After the recent conflict generated by the treatment that Nawat Itsaragrisil -president of Miss Universe Thailand- gave to the Mexican Fatima Bosch during an event of the pageant, Miss Universe 2025 is involved in a new scandal. This time, the accusations do not come from fans or participants, but from an official member of the jury, which has further intensified the controversy.
The French-Lebanese pianist and composer Omar Harfouch, one of the eight confirmed judges for Miss Universe 2025, publicly announced his resignation from the contest jury. But the departure did not stop there: Harfouch denounced an alleged fraud within the organization, claiming to have been deceived and used to “give credibility to an already compromised electoral process”.
“I was deceived and publicly used to give credibility to an electoral process that was already compromised,” the musician wrote.
Through his social networks, Harfouch claimed that the organization held a secret and illegitimate meeting, prior to the arrival of the official jury, in which allegedly a Top 30 contestants were selected. According to him, this vote would have been made by people outside the official panel of judges and even mentioned that at least one of those people would have a romantic relationship with a contestant, which would represent a clear conflict of interest.
Harfouch commented that he has already contacted a major law firm in New York to discuss the possibility of filing a formal complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.
The musician seeks to have Miss Universe investigated for: fraud, abuse of power, corruption, deceit, breach of contract, and conflict of interest.
In addition, it demands compensation for damages.
Harfouch also warned that judges who remain in place could become “complicit in a worldwide fraud” if they choose to participate without challenging the process.
Controversy at Miss Universe just hours before the finals
Controversy grew when, almost simultaneously, former French footballer and coach Claude Makélélé announced his resignation from the jury. Unlike Harfouch, Makélélé did not point out irregularities, but said he was retiring for unforeseen personal reasons.
“I hold Miss Universe in the highest esteem,” she expressed, regretting not being able to attend.
Although his message was cordial, the timing of his resignation raised suspicions among some contest observers.
In response to the scandal, the Miss Universe Organization issued a statement categorically denying the allegations of fraud. The organization acknowledged that there was a meeting and a vote, but clarified that this corresponded to the “Beyond the Crown” program, a separate project from the main contest.
This program seeks to reward the contestants’ social initiatives oriented to: leadership, health, inclusion, education, community service, and charitable causes.
“The program operates completely independently from the Miss Universe pageant and the official jury,” the organization said.
They also confirmed Harfouch’s resignation and warned that, as of this moment, she may not use, display or associate with the Miss Universe brand under any circumstances.
With the controversy over the treatment of Fatima Bosch still recent and now with these accusations of fraud and public resignations, Miss Universe 2025 is going through one of its most turbulent editions.
With days to go before the final, the contest is trying to preserve its credibility and its international image with the millions of viewers who follow the event around the world.
Here are the controversial statements of Omar Harfouch, denouncing fraud in Miss Universe.
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