Controversy shadows the crown once again

Miss Universe's image as a polished celebration of global beauty and empowerment is again under strain, as Miss Palestine becomes the latest contestant to challenge the legitimacy of its results and fan-voting systems, adding fresh fuel to a pageant already engulfed in disputes.

Her allegation arrives after a growing list of controversies, intensifying scrutiny of a competition now confronting questions about transparency, contestant safety and the influence of powerful stakeholders over outcomes once promoted as strictly merit-based.

Nadeen Ayoub, competing as Miss Palestine, accused organisers of manipulating votes in the 'Most Beautiful People' category when a massive last-minute surge pushed another contestant ahead, a jump she argued was mathematically unrealistic without internal interference.

She said she had led comfortably until minutes before polls closed, only to witness an abrupt reversal that coincided with technical glitches reported by supporters, some of whom said the app made it difficult to register votes in her favour.

Ayoub stressed that her protest is about fairness rather than personal loss, presenting her participation as a form of cultural representation and arguing that transparent digital systems are essential if pageants wish to maintain credibility with global audiences.

Her challenge lands amid escalating allegations, including a public denunciation from judge Omar Harfouch, who claimed Miss Mexico's win was predetermined and said he faced pressure from pageant owner Raul Rocha to support the result for business interests.

Harfouch said he predicted the outcome a full day before the final and promised to release evidence on HBO next year, prolonging doubts over whether scoring in the competition reflects genuine judging or undisclosed commercial relationships.

His claim followed reports of a contestant walkout triggered by footage of a Miss Universe director appearing to call Miss Mexico a "dumbhead", an incident that quickly went viral and deepened concerns about conduct at senior levels of the organisation.

Business Insider previously documented unease inside the pageant, citing racist remarks linked to a former winner, leadership complaints and the resignation of at least one judge, developments suggesting growing discomfort long before the latest disputes surfaced.

The climate of mistrust intensified further when Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, suffered a dramatic fall from the runway during the preliminary gown segment in Thailand, a moment captured on video and met with immediate public shock.

Initial medical updates said she remained in intensive care longer than expected, prompting her sister to travel with family to Bangkok, where doctors monitored complications that slowed her recovery despite early hopes for a quick discharge.

Organisers later said Henry was in good health and nearing release, though the incident revived concerns about safety protocols for contestants performing on elevated stages while wearing restrictive gowns and high heels.

Contestants and supporters have since urged pageant leaders to rethink expectations that place women under intense pressure in environments where a single misstep can have serious physical consequences, particularly during live televised segments.

Social media reactions to the mounting controversies show wide divisions, with some defending this year's results and accusing critics of politicising the competition, while others demand an independent inquiry into judging and all fan-voting mechanisms.

Ayoub's allegations now form part of a broader crisis that includes claims of prearranged outcomes, leadership behaviour issues and an accident that left one contestant hospitalised, developments that collectively challenge the pageant's authority and image.

As attention shifts to whether Miss Universe will address these questions with meaningful transparency, many argue that the brand can no longer rely on spectacle alone, with its credibility now tied to how it confronts its most turbulent year.