The Miss Universe pageant faced fresh tension this week after two judges resigned shortly before the grand finale scheduled for 21 November in Bangkok. Their departures added pressure to an event already struggling with controversy in the weeks leading to the ceremony.
Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch announced his exit after claiming the selection process had been influenced by an unofficial panel. He said he saw online reports suggesting that another group had been choosing contestants without the recognised judges present.
French football manager Claude Makélélé stepped down hours later, confirming his withdrawal through a short message posted on Instagram. He stated that his decision came from personal reasons, though he did not provide additional details.
The Miss Universe Organisation released a statement denying any attempt to replace or bypass the official judging panel. It explained that Mr Harfouch’s concerns likely referred to a separate social initiative called Beyond the Crown. The organisation stressed that the programme operated independently from the core competition.
Tension around the event had risen earlier when the Thailand director publicly criticised Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during a promotional engagement. Several contestants left the venue in protest, and videos of their exit circulated widely online. The incident drew attention across global entertainment circles.
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