Overview
- Omar Harfouch resigned from the judging panel three days before the Nov. 21 event, alleging an unsanctioned group chose the Top 30 without the official judges.
- He further claimed conflicts of interest within that group, including ties to contestants and involvement by a person linked to vote counting, and he withdrew a planned musical performance.
- The Miss Universe Organization rejected his assertions, described the posted 'Beyond the Crown' committee as an independent social-impact initiative, and barred him from using MUO marks.
- An anonymous contestant told People that many competitors learned of a purported preselection through social media and called the situation heartbreaking.
- French soccer figure Claude Makélélé also pulled out as a judge citing unforeseen personal reasons, while the final remains set for Nov. 21 in Thailand.