Pageant Scandals A Crown's Worth of Controversy
Beauty competitions don't always maintain a flawless image. Contests ranging from Miss USA to Miss Universe have accumulated numerous scandals and public disputes throughout their history.
In 1984, Vanessa Williams, then Miss America, famously relinquished her title after unauthorized nude pictures appeared in Penthouse magazine. Decades later, in 2006, Miss USA Tara Conner retained her position after Donald Trump, who owned Miss Universe at the time and is now the President of the United States, granted her another opportunity following her confession of drug and alcohol misuse.
November 2025 saw two major controversies dominate the world of pageantry. The first involved a dispute that erupted between Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch and Thai entrepreneur Nawat Itsaragrisil during a ceremonial event. The second instance occurred when Miss Universe judge Omar Harfouch withdrew from the competition, citing a "lack of transparency" in the voting process.
Continue reading below to explore the most significant beauty pageant scandals throughout history:
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Vanessa Williams
Before achieving renown as a singer and actress, Vanessa Williams was stripped of her Miss America title after revealing photographs of her were leaked and published in Penthouse magazine. Williams, a pioneer as the first African-American Miss America, also became the first to step down.
Over three decades later, she rejoined the pageant as its head judge, and CEO Sam Haskell formally apologized to Williams. He stated, “I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America that you are and Miss America you always will be.”
Karlie Hay
Shortly after Karlie Hay was crowned Miss Teen USA 2016, images of racist tweets she had published several years prior — some containing the N-word — reappeared online. She promptly acknowledged her use of the offensive language and issued an apology on Instagram.
Although the Miss Universe Organization described her vocabulary as “unacceptable,” they confirmed she would not be required to relinquish her crown.
Destiny Velez
Destiny Vélez, Miss Puerto Rico 2015, faced suspension from the Miss America Organization after tweeting multiple anti-Muslim statements. In reaction to Trump’s remarks on prohibiting Muslims from entering the U.S., Fahrenheit 9/11 director Michael Moore posted a picture of himself outside Trump Tower with a sign reading, “We are all Muslim.” Vélez then unleashed a furious outburst, asserting that Muslims pursue “terrorizing agendas.”
Doron Matalon and Saly Greige
A selfie controversy! Miss Israel Doron Matalon and Miss Lebanon Saly Greige sparked outrage by posing for a smiling selfie together at Miss Universe 2014. What appeared to be a harmless act was problematic given that their respective nations had been in conflict for years.
Greige asserted on Facebook that Matalon had unexpectedly joined her photo with other contestants and then shared it online. Matalon responded on Instagram, lamenting that it was “too bad [she] cannot put the hostility out of the game, only for three weeks of an experience of a lifetime.”
Nia Sanchez
Nia Sanchez, Miss USA 2014, faced allegations of falsely claiming residency in Nevada after she couldn't recall the capital of her supposed home state. During a radio segment, she drew a blank on the answer, uttering, “Oh oh agh, umm, oh my gosh,” before the interviewer intervened with, “Carson City.”
Having competed in Miss California three times without a win, rumors circulated that she had fabricated documentation to appear as though she fulfilled the residency criteria for the Nevada contest.
Steve Harvey
The host of Miss Universe 2015 committed a monumental blunder — and became an internet sensation — by incorrectly announcing the pageant's winner. He erroneously declared Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the champion, despite Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, being the actual recipient of the prestigious crown.
He later clarified that the font for the first runner-up on the card was larger and more prominent than that of the winner's name. On his talk show, he admitted, “Did I make a mistake? Yes I did, wholeheartedly. You make a mistake and you own up to it. And I tried to fix it, I tried to fix it right there.”
Elizabeth Fechtel
Florida and its vote recalculations! At the Miss Florida 2014 pageant, Elizabeth Fechtel was initially awarded the crown until event organizers discovered a mistake in the vote count, determining that Victoria Cowen was the rightful winner.
Days afterward, officials visited Fechtel’s residence to inform her of the error. It seemed a judge had altered their selection at the final moment, marking arrows on the ballot to switch the names, but this change was initially missed.
Amanda Longacre
Amanda Longacre was initially named Miss Delaware 2014 but was subsequently considered too old to participate in Miss America; contestants are required to be between 17 and 24 years of age. Longacre was 24 at the time of the September competition but reached 25 in October. According to pageant authorities, a rule stipulates a Miss America contender cannot turn 25 prior to the year's end. Although she did not retain the crown, she was permitted to keep the scholarship funds she received.
Rima Fakih
The scandal began with the leak of suggestive photographs of Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih on a stripper pole — reportedly taken at a Detroit radio show’s “Stripper 101” event. She defended herself, asserting the images were from a pole dancing class she had taken years earlier. Calls for her resignation intensified when she overslept for an interview following a late night of revelry and then denied it, only to be exposed by hotel security footage.
Weeks prior to relinquishing her crown, she nearly missed a CNN interview after another evening of drinking, yet successfully maintained her title until her reign concluded.
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Carrie Prejean
Carrie Prejean, Miss California 2009, faced intense criticism for her contentious response regarding same-sex marriage during the Miss USA Q&A segment, posed by openly gay judge Perez Hilton. Prejean stated, ”We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman.”
Many celebrities and social media users harshly condemned her reply, suggesting she should forfeit her title. Although she was not dethroned specifically for her remarks, her dismissal resulted from a combination of leaked topless pictures and unfulfilled engagements. Miss California organizers formally cited a breach of contract as the reason.
Laura Zuniga
After winning the title of Reina Hispanoamericana 2008, Laura Zuniga was apprehended alongside a group of seven alleged drug cartel members. They were found with various weapons in their vehicles, including assault rifles and handguns, 633 ammunition rounds, 16 mobile phones, and $53,000 in currency. Photographs emerged showing Zuniga in handcuffs beside a table laden with firearms and money. She was subsequently stripped of her title and given a 40-day arrest sentence while awaiting charges for racketeering, drug trafficking, illegal weapons possession, and money laundering.
Caitlin Upton
In what was arguably the most widely spread pageant error, Caitlin Upton, Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007, delivered an incoherent response to a question concerning why one in five Americans might struggle to find the U.S. on a map.
She responded then, “I personally believe U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation do not have maps and, uh, I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and, uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as. I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, or, uh, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future.”
By 2015, she revealed that the incident continued to affect her deeply, leading her to consider suicide due to the intense public criticism.
Ashley Harder
Ashley Harder relinquished her title as Miss New Jersey 2007 after she became pregnant unexpectedly during her term. (Previously, pageant regulations disallowed Miss USA contestants from being married, pregnant, or having had children, though these rules were updated in 2023 to permit both married women and mothers.)
Harder's withdrawal from the contest drew strong disapproval from pro-life advocates, who contended that she should have been permitted to compete since she opted against an abortion.
Tara Conner
Following multiple media reports detailing Tara Conner's struggles with alcohol and drug abuse after her relocation to New York City, Conner tested positive for cocaine while still holding the Miss USA title. She later confessed to misusing alcohol and prescription painkillers too.
In a press conference, Trump unexpectedly chose to grant her another opportunity rather than remove her crown, and Conner consented to enter rehabilitation. Trump commented, “She left a small town in Kentucky and got caught up in the whirlwind we know is New York.”
Danielle Lloyd
Danielle Lloyd was dismissed as Miss Great Britain 2006 after she disclosed in an interview that she had been in a relationship with Teddy Sheringham, a pageant judge and soccer player, before the competition. Sheringham was the sole judge who cast a vote for Lloyd, whose victory was ultimately determined by the audience's choice.
Furthermore, she posed nude for Playboy, contravening regulations that prohibited the winner from appearing undressed during her tenure.
Alicia Machado
Within a year of her triumph as Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado gained 42 pounds, increasing her weight from 118 to 160 pounds. Pageant authorities warned they would strip her of her title if she didn't lose weight, prompting Trump to enlist a group of fitness and nutrition specialists to assist her in shedding pounds through strict diet and exercise. In a discussion with Howard Stern, Trump intensified the situation by labeling her “an eating machine.”
Fatima Bosch
Fátima Bosch, Miss Mexico, garnered attention in November 2025 due to a heated exchange with Thai entrepreneur Nawat Itsaragrisil, who holds executive positions within both the Miss Universe Organization and Miss Universe Thailand, and also presides over Miss Grand International.
The conflict reportedly began when Itsaragrisil referred to Bosch as a “dumb head,” a term signifying “foolish” or “unintelligent.”
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Bosch confronted Itsaragrisil, stating, “We respect you, just as you should respect us. I’m here representing my country, and it’s not my fault you have problems with my organization.” He responded, “No, you must listen to me first, then argue with me.” Bosch then rose and exited the room, joined by other contestants in solidarity, including Victoria Kjær Theilvig, the reigning Miss Universe from Denmark.
According to N+, the argument originated when Itsaragrisil questioned Bosch's failure to post about the host country on social media, which Bosch reportedly tried to explain as a misunderstanding.
Bosch later commented on the widely discussed incident in a media statement, asserting, “He called me dumb because he has issues with the organization, and I think that’s unfair … I think the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and this platform is for our voices. No one can silence it. No one will silence me. It doesn’t matter if you have a big dream or a crown. If it takes away your dignity, you should walk away.”
The Miss Universe Organization also issued a declaration.
The statement conveyed, “The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) reaffirms its commitment to work closely with the host community, the Miss Grand International Organization (MGI), and all local partners to ensure the success of the 74th edition of the pageant. A high-level delegation, led by the MUO’s CEO, Mr. Mario Búcaro, is traveling to Thailand to strengthen collaboration with the host country, MGI, and relevant authorities. All scheduled events and activities will take place as planned, reaffirming our shared goal of delivering a global celebration that reflects the values of diversity, empowerment, and inclusion that define the legacy of Miss Universe.”
Judge Omar Harfouch
Just days before the global pageant commenced in Thailand in November 2025, judge Omar Harfouch declared his resignation from his position. He claimed in multiple Instagram Stories that the Miss Universe Organization had assembled an “impromptu jury” to choose the 30 finalists, excluding any of the “official” judges from the panel.
Harfouch, a composer, asserted that the “non official jury is composed of individuals with a significant possible conflict of interest due to some personal relationships with some of the Miss Universe contestants.” He further alleged that the selection outcomes were being kept “secret,” which he found questionable.
Harfouch stated, “After having a disrespectful conversation with [Miss Universe CEO] Raul Rocha about the lack of transparency in the Miss Universe voting process, l decided to resign from the jury and refuse to be part of this charade. I will also not be playing the music composed for the event.”
That same day, the Miss Universe Organization released a statement, asserting that it had publicly disclosed the members of the Beyond the Crown Program, described as an “independent social impact initiative designed to promote leadership, service, education, health, inclusion and meaningful support for charitable causes.”
The organization clarified that Harfouch “incorrectly suggested that an unauthorized or impromptu jury had been formed and that the official judges had been excluded from the selection of finalists.”
They maintained that “no impromptu jury has been created” and that Miss Universe continues to “follow the established, transparent and supervised MUO protocols.”
The organization acknowledged Harfouch’s choice to step down as a judge, pledging that “all procedures remain governed by the organization’s highest standards of transparency, integrity and fairness.”
