Post by : Saif Rahman

Just days before the grand finale in Bangkok, Thailand, the Miss Universe 2025 pageant finds itself at the center of controversy. Judge Omar Harfouch, a composer, has stepped down and raised serious accusations regarding the fairness of the competition.

Through social media posts, Harfouch revealed that a clandestine committee had pre-selected the top 30 finalists prior to the preliminary evaluations. This revelation suggests that many contestants might not have received the fair assessment they deserved. Fans worldwide, who expect transparency in such prestigious events, have reacted with shock.

The committee responsible for selecting the finalists supposedly operated outside the official judging panel. Instead, Harfouch claims there was an unofficial group forming an “impromptu jury,” which had predetermined the contestants moving forward. He alleged that this group contained individuals with potential conflicts of interest, many of whom had personal ties with certain contestants.

According to reports from November 18, Harfouch indicated that at least one committee member was romantically involved with a contestant and was also tasked with counting votes and determining results. If substantiated, these claims pose a significant threat to the integrity of the judging process.

Additionally, Harfouch recounted a tense exchange with Miss Universe owner Raúl Rocha regarding his demand for greater transparency in judging. He stated that he could not engage in a process that might unfairly affect contestants' futures, emphasizing his duty as a judge to evaluate all 136 participants and not just a pre-selected group.

Harfouch expressed his moral obligation to provide every contestant equal opportunity, stating he could not “play with the destiny of young girls” by accepting a predetermined finalist list. Unlike other judges who may prioritize celebrity or appearances, Harfouch stood firm on his principles.

This resignation draws sharp focus on a pageant already in the spotlight due to prior controversies, such as the alleged insult by the event's Thai director directed at Miss Mexico, which even led to a contestant walking out. Given these occurrences, the Miss Universe Organisation faces mounting public demand for clarity regarding its selection processes.

As of now, the Miss Universe Organisation has not issued an extensive statement responding to these allegations. Fans and commentators alike are keenly awaiting any internal investigation or reform to restore faith in the event.

Traditionally celebrated for its manifestation of talent, beauty, and fairness, the Miss Universe pageant is now under scrutiny. With the final event looming, all eyes are on Bangkok to observe how the Miss Universe Organisation will navigate this growing crisis and its implications for the future of the pageant.

As the situation unfolds, it could emerge as one of the most remarkable moments in the pageant's history. Whether the organisation can regain lost trust remains uncertain, yet there is consensus that fairness and transparency should be core values in any global competition.

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