KINGSTON, September 24, 2026 — Gabrielle Henry, who represented Jamaica at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, has sued the Miss Universe Organization and related companies, alleging that an unmarked opening in the stage caused her to fall during the competition in Bangkok.
Henry filed the lawsuit on September 21 in Delaware Superior Court, nearly a year after the incident. Her complaint includes claims of negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, premises liability, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The fall occurred on November 19, 2025, while Henry was completing a choreographed walk on stage during the 74th Miss Universe pageant. She alleges that she suddenly fell about five feet through an “unmarked and uncovered opening” in the stage.
According to the complaint, the cavity contained concrete and lighting equipment. Henry also claims that powerful lights directed towards her face impaired her vision and prevented her from seeing the edge of the stage.
She alleges that other contestants had complained about the lighting before the incident. After her fall, she claims, the stage lighting was changed and bright white lights were added to make the edge more visible.
The lawsuit names the Miss Universe Organization, JKN Legacy Inc. and Legacy Holding Group USA. Henry alleges that the defendants acted with disregard for the safety of contestants and failed to ensure that the stage was properly inspected and secured before the event.
Video of Henry falling from the stage circulated widely online at the time, prompting concern among viewers and fellow contestants. The incident also became the subject of public discussion after another contestant, Miss Haiti, reportedly claimed that the pageant had suggested Henry was not paying attention when she fell.
Henry has described the incident as the most traumatic experience of her life. She alleges that the fall caused continuing physical, neurological and cognitive problems and that she has required medical care, rehabilitation and follow-up treatment.
Before competing in the pageant, Henry was a practising ophthalmologist. She claims that her injuries prevented her from returning to her medical residency after she was discharged from hospital.
The complaint also says that media coverage of the incident caused additional emotional distress. Henry alleges that the psychological effects have continued beyond the immediate consequences of her physical injuries.
The Miss Universe Organization said it had not been served with the lawsuit and had not received a claim, demand letter or subpoena from Henry or anyone representing her. The organisation said it was therefore unable to comment in detail on allegations it had not reviewed.
It also sought to distance itself from responsibility for the event’s physical arrangements. In a statement, the organisation said that venue management, stage construction and on-site safety had been handled by the host and production entities, including MGI and Miss Universe Thailand, under the direction of Nawat Itsaragrisil.
The organisation said those parties had failed to cover Henry’s hospital expenses and had left her without adequate assistance after the fall. It said the Miss Universe Organization stepped in to pay the medical costs, despite claiming it had no legal obligation to do so.
The dispute is likely to raise questions about how responsibility is divided between international pageant organisers, local production companies and venue operators when contestants are injured during televised events. Liability will depend on the contractual arrangements between the parties, the condition of the stage and what organisers knew about the alleged opening and lighting problems before the show.
Henry’s allegations have not been tested in court, and the defendants have not formally responded to the claims on their merits. The case will now proceed through the Delaware court system, where the parties are expected to address the circumstances of the fall, the extent of Henry’s injuries and responsibility for the event’s safety arrangements.
