Miss Universe Explodes as Judge Quits Citing Secret Finalist Selection and Conflicts of Interest
Enthusiasts of the Miss Universe competition are left stunned after panelist Omar Harfouch declared his departure from the spectacle — and unveiled a significant revelation about what reportedly occurred confidentially.
Harfouch, aged 56, asserted on his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, November 18, that he was stepping down from his judging role upon learning that an “unplanned jury” had been established to choose the 30 finalists from the 136 nations competing.
The musician contended that none of the “genuine eight jury members,” himself included, were in attendance for the selection process.
Harfouch voiced “deep bewilderment and worry” regarding the choice, asserting that Miss Universe was withholding the outcomes of their selection “privately.”
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In a subsequent online update, Harfouch alleged that the “unofficial jury comprises individuals with a substantial potential conflict of interest owing to personal connections with certain Miss Universe competitors.”
He clarified that “based on circulating reports” he encountered, the individual tasked with “tallying votes and overseeing results” was purportedly among those having a connection to the contenders.
Harfouch asserted that he notified the Miss Universe committee of his “objection to this initial selection” on Monday, November 17, leading the organization to reportedly hastily “publish a roster of names linked to the selection on their Instagram profile.”
As per Harfouch, the committee failed to detail the “function these individuals performed,” which he stated generated “still more bewilderment.”
Amidst the unfolding controversy, Harfouch chose to withdraw from the global contest three days prior to his scheduled appearance on the judging panel in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, November 21.
“Following a disrespectful discussion with [Miss Universe CEO] Raul Rocha concerning the absence of openness in the Miss Universe voting procedures, I chose to step down from the jury and decline participation in this pretense,” Harfouch concluded. “Furthermore, I will not be performing the music created for the occasion.”
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The Miss Universe Organization released a declaration on Tuesday, rectifying “particular misrepresentations” that have been circulating concerning the “Beyond the Crown Program.”
As stated by the organization, the Beyond the Crown Program — an “autonomous social impact endeavor crafted to advance leadership, community service, learning, well-being, diversity, and substantial backing for philanthropic efforts” — was revealed on Monday through social media.
This panel is reportedly meant to function “completely independently of the Miss Universe competition,” encompassing its judging panel.
The organization additionally contended that Harfouch’s remarks regarding the Beyond the Crown Program, which indeed chose the 30 finalists, “erroneously implied that an unsanctioned or spontaneous jury had been created and that the authorized judges were left out of the finalist selection.”
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Miss Universe maintained in its declaration that “no ad-hoc jury has been established” and that the contest persists in “adhering to the defined, clear, and overseen MUO procedures.”
“Considering Mr. Harfouch’s stated perplexity, his public misrepresentation of the program, and his declared wish not to partake, the Miss Universe Organization courteously accepts his resignation from the official judging panel,” the collective posted on Instagram.
The organization specified that “with immediate effect” Harfouch is “barred from utilizing, exhibiting, mentioning, or connecting himself with any Miss Universe trademarks, service marks, logos,” and so forth.
“All processes continue to be guided by the organization’s supreme benchmarks of clarity, honesty, and impartiality,” the collective finished.
