Miss Universe Jamaica Contestant Sues Pageant Over Stage Fall That Caused Brain Injury
Former Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Henry sues pageant over stage fall that caused brain injury. Details of lawsuit and recovery revealed.
POLICY WIRE — City, Country — A former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant has filed a lawsuit against the Miss Universe Organisation following a fall during the 2025 competition in Thailand that resulted in serious brain injuries.
The incident occurred on 19 November during the preliminary round of the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok. Gabrielle Henry, representing Jamaica, fell about five feet through an unmarked and uncovered stage opening while walking in the evening gown segment, according to her legal complaint.
Henry sustained a traumatic brain injury, including an acute subarachnoid haemorrhage and other neurological damage, which required hospitalization from 19 November to 10 December. The lawsuit claims negligence, premises liability, and emotional distress, alleging that poor lighting and unsafe conditions contributed to the accident.
The Miss Universe Organisation has denied the allegations, stating they had not been served with the lawsuit and could not comment on unverified claims. They also stated that local organizers were responsible for the event’s safety and that they stepped in to cover hospital costs despite having no obligation to do so.
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Henry, who was an ophthalmologist at the time of the fall, has said the injuries have prevented her from resuming her medical residency and continue to cause ongoing neurological and cognitive symptoms. She is seeking damages for medical treatment, emotional distress, and lost career opportunities.
She has also claimed that multiple contestants had raised concerns about the stage setup before her fall, and only added brighter lights to the stage edges afterward. The lawsuit accuses the organisation of reckless disregard for contestant safety.
Henry has spent much of the past year recovering from the incident. In May 2026, she made her first public appearance since the accident at an Atlanta gala, where she spoke about her prolonged recovery. In August, she returned to the Miss Universe Jamaica stage to crown her successor.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
