Miss Universe under fire after Miss Haiti says Miss Jamaica blamed for stage fall

Bangkok: A new dispute has emerged around the Miss Universe pageant after claims that organisers placed responsibility on Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, for her frightening fall during the preliminary round. The contestant is still in the hospital, a week after the November 19 mishap.

In an interview with People on November 26, Miss Haiti, Melissa Sapini, 22, described what happened behind the scenes immediately after the incident. She recalled the moment Miss Jamaica, dressed in an orange evening gown, slipped off the stage and was taken away on a stretcher.

“It was extremely frightening”

Miss Haiti said that contestants were summoned for a meeting soon after the accident. During that briefing, a staff member allegedly suggested that Miss Jamaica was at fault, claiming she “wasn’t paying attention.” Sapini said the comment left many shocked, despite the staff member later saying that “safety is our top priority.” She expressed her disbelief, noting how unsettling it was for contestants who watched the fall happen.

Contestants left stressed and silent

Sapini also spoke about the emotional strain building up among participants due to the controversies surrounding Miss Universe 2025. She described sitting with her roommate during their rare short break between the preliminary and final rounds, feeling overwhelmed by everything happening around them. According to her, both were quietly reading news coverage of the unfolding issues, feeling their energy “drained” and their ambitions fading. “Seeing hopes and dreams disappear like that is heartbreaking,” she said.

Health update on Miss Jamaica

After her fall, Miss Jamaica was admitted to a hospital in Thailand. Miss Universe owner Raul Rocha later shared on Instagram that he visited her and her family at the hospital. On November 24, the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation reposted his update, stating that she was in stable condition and expected to be discharged soon.

This alleged blaming of Miss Jamaica adds to a long list of controversies that have surrounded this year’s pageant. The event has faced public criticism, including Thai pageant figure Nawat Itsaragrisil’s harsh remarks toward Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch—who went on to win the Miss Universe 2025 crown on November 21—as well as accusations of biased judging and multiple judges stepping down.