The 74th Miss Universe pageant has been rocked by controversy as Omar Harfouch, a renowned concert pianist and composer, resigned from his role as a jury member, citing a lack of transparency in the judging process. Harfouch, who was invited to join the official panel in July, expressed his concerns following a ‘disrespectful conversation’ with Raul Rocha regarding the competition’s voting procedures. In a public statement, Harfouch announced he would also refrain from playing the music he composed for the event, stating he refused to be ‘a part of this charade.’ He further criticized the preliminary selection process, which he claimed was conducted without the presence of the eight official judges, including himself. Harfouch highlighted potential conflicts of interest, alleging that some individuals involved in the voting process had personal relationships with contestants. The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) responded by asserting that all judging remains official, transparent, and fully governed by MUO protocols. The organization also clarified that the Beyond the Crown Program operates independently and does not influence the competition’s evaluation process. MUO has prohibited Harfouch from using or associating himself with any Miss Universe trademarks, logos, titles, or registered properties, warning of potential legal action. This year’s pageant, scheduled for November 21 in Thailand, has already faced multiple controversies, including the dismissal of host Nawat Itsaragrisil following a heated exchange with Mexican delegate Fatima Bosch. The incident, along with other walkouts and confrontations, has cast a shadow over the event, raising questions about the management of high-profile competitions under global scrutiny.
Miss Universe official resigns questioning judging process; pageant issues clarification
