• Omar Harfouch stop the Miss Universe judging panel simply three days forward of the pageant.
• He claimed that the Miss Universe Group created an "impromptu jury" composed of individuals with "potential conflicts of curiosity."
• The MUO has denied the allegations.

This 12 months's Miss Universe pageant continues to fire up controversy.

It began when Miss Universe govt Nawat Itsaragrisil lashed out at Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch throughout a livestreamed pre-pageant occasion, leading to a public apology and Itsaragrisil's position within the competitors being restricted.

Now, a member of the Miss Universe judging panel has stepped down. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, composer Omar Harfouch introduced his resignation, which comes simply days earlier than the competitors begins on Friday, Nov. 21.

In a sequence of Instagram Tales, Harfouch attributed his departure to improper practices inside the Miss Universe Group (MUO).

Learn on as we break down why Omar Harfouch stop the Miss Universe 2025 jury and the way the MUO is responding to his accusations.

Why did Omar Harfouch stop the Miss Universe jury?

After quitting, Harfouch took to his Instagram to elucidate why followers received't see him on the judges' desk on Friday, Nov. 21. The pianist claimed he found by way of social media that the MUO had put collectively an "impromptu jury" to select 30 finalists from 136 nations within the competitors earlier than they even competed on stage.

In accordance with Harfouch, not one of the "actual" eight Miss Universe judges have been concerned in selecting the finalists. He additionally claimed that these outcomes are presently being saved below wraps.

In a follow-up publish to his Instagram Tales, Harfouch alleged that the unapproved panel is made up of "people with a big potential battle of curiosity because of some private relationships with among the Miss Universe contestants, together with the individual accountable for counting the votes and managing the outcomes, which constitutes an additional battle of curiosity."

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Harfouch mentioned he raised his considerations with the Miss Universe committee about "this preliminary choice." However as a substitute of addressing them, they posted "a listing of names related to the choice" on Instagram with out clarifying "the [roles] performed by these [individuals]." (He seems to be referring to this publish on Miss Universe's Instagram from Monday, Nov. 17.)

In his closing publish, Harfouch confirmed he wouldn’t participate within the pageant. "After having a disrespectful dialog with [Miss Universe CEO] Raul Rocha concerning the lack of transparency within the Miss Universe voting course of, l determined to resign from the jury and refuse to be a part of this charade," he mentioned. "I may also not be enjoying the music composed for the occasion."

Harfouch doubled down in an Instagram video, writing within the caption that he "couldn’t stand earlier than the general public and tv cameras, pretending to legitimize a vote I by no means took half in."

He continued, "A few of the nations eradicated by way of this course of may very well be at warfare, discriminated towards, or geopolitically delicate," he continued. "Viewers would assume the jury made these selections, and I can not bear accountability for a course of I didn’t take part in. Pretending in any other case can be dishonest."

How has the Miss Universe Group responded?

Following Harfouch's accusations, Rocha and the MUO launched a joint assertion on Instagram denying any wrongdoing. The assertion claimed that the choice committee in query is for its Past the Crown Program, described as "an unbiased social affect initiative" that "operates totally individually from the Miss Universe competitors and from the official judging panel."

The assertion pushed again towards the feedback that Harfouch made on social media, stating that no impromptu jury was ever put collectively, no outdoors group was allowed to resolve on the finalists, and all judging continues "to comply with the established, clear, and supervised MUO protocols."

The MUO additionally responded to Harfouch's confusion and determination to resign. "Given [Mr. Harfouch's] expressed confusion, his public mischaracterization of this system, and his said want to not take part, the Miss Universe Group respectfully acknowledges his withdrawal from the official judging panel," they wrote.

The assertion additionally declared that Harfouch is now banned from "utilizing, displaying, referencing, or associating himself with any Miss Universe logos, service marks, logos, titles, or registered properties, in any format, medium, or communication, whether or not digital, written, or verbal."

The MUO concluded by urging "the general public, media shops, and followers worldwide to rely solely on verified MUO communications and to proceed supporting the delegates whose management, service, and dedication mirror the true values of Miss Universe."

How are the Miss Universe 2025 contestants reacting to the controversy?

Forward of the pageant, an nameless contestant instructed PEOPLE that she and several other fellow contestants discovered concerning the controversy by way of social media, not the MUO.

"This revelation got here moments after we stepped off stage from our closing rehearsal for tomorrow’s preliminaries," she mentioned. "It’s heartbreaking."

The contestant continued, "So many contestants have sacrificed their private lives, left their jobs, and spent a 12 months getting ready for this second. A few of us have fallen unwell, been hospitalized, or pushed by way of exhaustion whereas receiving solely three to 4 hours of sleep every night time. We did this as a result of we believed within the integrity of this group and the mission they instructed us they stood for."

She additionally praised Harfouch for talking out. "We thank Omar Harfouch for standing up for integrity when the group wouldn’t. He confirmed the very management Miss Universe claims to have fun.”

The place can I watch the Miss Universe 2025 pageant?

The Miss Universe 2025 pageant will air stay on Telemundo on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. ET.

The printed may also be accessible to stream on Peacock and the official Miss Universe YouTube channel.

Get your every day dose of leisure information, superstar updates, and what to look at with our EW Dispatch publication.

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