Bangkok, November 19, 2025. Miss Universe 2025’s glitz turned to grime just three days from the finale in the Thai capital when judge Omar Harfouch dramatically quit, alleging organisers had rigged the final 30 by pre-selection. In a bombshell post on Instagram, Harfouch alleged that a shadowy committee pricked with conflicts of interest, including an affair by one judge with a contestant, had determined the finalists before they were judged by an official panel.
The eight of us judges who weren’t really judging 136 girls; we were simply approving 30 already-decided-on ones. That’s not fair—I can’t mess with lives,” he growled. And a contestant spoke to People magazine about the outrage, saying she was “devastated” and “heartbroken” to hear the list “was predetermined before rehearsal.”
The Miss Universe Organization quickly countered by issuing a lifetime ban on Harfouch and denying foul play, alleging the event is “transparent and and based on merit.” Is this the call of a whistleblower crying foul, or just sour grapes with crowns on the line and spotlights glaring? The aftermath could overshadow one of the 74th edition of the pageant as it hurtles toward November 22.
Omar Harfouch Claims Top 30 Already Picked, Quits as Miss Universe 2025 Judge
“Everything Decided By A Secret Committee”—Harfouch’s Bombshell On Instagram
On the 19th of November, Omar Harfouch, a leading figure upon the jury for the 74th miss universe pageant in Bangkok said he could no longer participate after a so-called “rude” exchange with owner Raul Rocha Cantu. His real ire, however, was saved for the selection process itself: In a multi-post Instagram diatribe (@omarharfouch) he claimed an unofficial committee – also filled with insiders – had already determined the top 30 semi-finalists prior to the active judging process being conducted.
“This is in contravention of all fairness,” Harfouch wrote, adding that the whole group was corrupted by personal relations, including whispers of a judge sleeping with one of the challengers. He said the eight official judges were “just looking on” and were given a pre-prepared list to “judge” with no opportunity to see all 136 contestants in action on the stage.
Being a businessman involved in luxury brands in Dubai, Harfouch was not mincing his words: “I cannot be part of something that tempers with dreams.” The departure arrives as the pageant, under Cantu’s leadership since 2023, faces increased criticism for its inclusion—no swimsuit round, broader representation.
Miss Universe – a global symbol now on the hot seat.
Another contestant has spoken out, saying: “My heart broke knowing Top 30 was already set”
A mystery contestant substantiated Harfouch’s story during a recent People magazine interview, recalling how shocking it was to discover they’d been chosen without any judges: “It broke me to find out the person had been picked after rehearsal and not by the judges. We gave our all in those walks, only to learn it was scripted. She called Harfouch has “a voice for truth,” and said it had taken an emotional toll for those taking part from more than 80 countries.
Cause for concern: Floating delegates are allegedly unhappy with a lack of transparency in scoring, similar to the controversy after the Philippines victory in the 2022 contest amid accusations of favouritism over the past years. While other judges have yet to comment publicly, scene backstage is tense with finalists preparing for the Nov. 22 finale at Bangkok’s Impact Arena.
She said: ”Omar stood up for all of us – transparency in this kind of pageant is not a choice.
The list of controversies in beauty pageants – Miss Universe to be added to it
Swift action by Miss Universe Organization: Harfouch banned for life; allegations of rigging ‘baseless’
MUO: ”NO SECRET JURY, FULL TRANSPARENCY”
Hours after Harfouch’s post, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) hit back, saying in a statement: “We reject any suggestion that any secret committee or outside judging has taken place. All 136 contestants are judged live onstage by the official panel for the top 30, which is based on merit. They said that Harfouch was “disseminating information in order to tarnish the image of the contest” and imposed the ban for life from taking part in the future. Owner Raul Rocha Cantu, who responded to an email asking for comment, called the allegations “regrettable but without foundation,” adding that the company has implemented changes, such as expanding the age range (now 18 to 28) and encouraging members of marginalized groups to join.
Emphasizing their motto of ’empowerment over entertainment,’ MUO included judges such as Pia Wurtzbach (2015 winner) and Gisele Bündchen. The organization has decided to double down on pre-finale briefings to squelch speculation, insiders say, but the brand damage? The social media is firing on all cylinders with ‘Miss Universe Rigged’ trending with over 50,000 posts within hours.
Stormy weather for Miss Universe Organization – defending its crown.
Rumoured Affair Ramps: Personal Bass with Judging Panel?
Harfouch’s juiciest claim? One judge is embroiled in a love affair with a contestant, skewing the clandestine pre-selection process. He didn’t say who, but the implication has sent tabloids into a frenzy; lists of suspects have included a Latin American delegate, as well as a Hollywood-linked panelist. MUO called it: :: the most divisive article if the month, not bringing the news, but bringing the judgement. “Personal relationships are banned and screened,” they wrote. Protocols have been hardened over the years after past scandals, such as the infamous 2015 flub by Steve Harvey, but this could subject show sponsors Pepsi and L’Oréal to a deeper reckoning.
An insider for the pageant said, “It’s messy, but the finale is set in stone — winners are determined based on live scores now.”
Miss Universe 2025 Dates: from Preliminary Drama to the Ultimate Showdown on 22 November
Path to Bangkok: How the Row Developed
November 15 was when the preliminaries began for the pageant—136 women from different countries including India, represented by Sini Shetty this year. Harfouch stepped down on November 19, immediately following the top 30 swimsuit and evening gown rounds. Now the remaining judges face added pressure, with Emily Ratajkowski and former winners. Its season finale airs November 22 at 7 PM ET (6:30 AM IST November 23), which is available via Fox and streaming platforms.
Impacts? Spooking Sponsor, Demoralising Candidates, Activist’s Demands for Conducting Independent Audits Host—third time Thailand—has bitter irony as previous boosts for tourism
Bangkok – the place where pageant dreams went to die
Wider Implications: A Distrust That Extends Beyond Global Beauty Competitions
This is not unique: Miss Universe has faced rigging rumors every year since 1952, from the resignation of Vanessa Williams in 1984 to accusations of favoring R’Bonney Gabriel in 2023 based on her ethnicity. The departure of Harfouch only serves to bolster some of the existing calls for an onchain vote via blockchain or AI-enhanced transparency of the process. It’s a gut punch for contestants — one told TMZ, “We run after the dreams not the deals.” The MUO ban wants to put out fires, but as the crown draws ever closer, one question remains: Rigged or not?
Miss Universe is the newest chapter in Pageant Scandals.
Closing: Miss Universe 2025 – Envy or Call for Justice?
Omar Harfouch’s ‘Miss Universe 2025’ snatched from glamour to grilling over rigging claims and affair rumors — handed in resignation last day before the FINALE The organization says it is business as usual as Bangkok prepares for November 22, but once trust is broken, the reach of the mend is slow. Will a new queen mend the rift or stoke its flames? You are judged — fair play foul or judge’s grudge? Sound off below.
