Former Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Henry has filed a lawsuit against the Miss Universe Organisation and its parent companies following a serious fall during the 2025 Miss Universe pageant.
The legal action was filed on 21 September 2026 in the Delaware Superior Court. The complaint names the Miss Universe Organisation, JKN Legacy Inc. and Legacy Holding Group USA as defendants, accusing them of negligence, unsafe event conditions, inadequate staffing and causing emotional distress.
The incident occurred on 19 November 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, during the preliminary competition of the 74th Miss Universe pageant.
According to court documents, Henry fell approximately five feet through an unmarked opening in the stage, landing on concrete and technical equipment below.
Henry claims that intense stage lighting impaired her vision during her walk, causing her to miss the opening and fall. The accident reportedly left her unconscious and resulted in a severe brain injury accompanied by internal bleeding.
She remained in hospital from 19 November to 10 December 2025. According to her doctor, the lasting cognitive and physical effects of the injury have prevented her from returning to her medical residency programme.
According to international media reports, the lawsuit alleges that pageant organisers ignored earlier warnings from contestants about unsafe conditions on the stage.
It further claims that border lights were only installed along the runway after Henry’s fall.
The Miss Universe Organisation said it had not yet been formally served with the lawsuit. However, representatives noted that primary responsibility for event safety rested with the local host producers, Miss Grand International (MGI) and Miss Universe Thailand.
The organisation also stated that when the local hosts failed to cover Henry’s medical expenses, it stepped in to pay for her hospital treatment in Thailand as well as her follow-up care in Jamaica.
In addition, the organisation said an offer to appoint Henry as a goodwill ambassador had not received a response.
In an earlier statement, MGI described the incident as an isolated accident caused by a missed step on a wide stage. However, other contestants reportedly claimed that event staff initially blamed Henry for failing to pay attention while walking on the runway.