Growing controversy continues to surround the 2025 Miss Universe pageant after Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry suffered a serious fall from the stage during preliminaries — and remains hospitalized a week later. Now, another contestant is speaking out, claiming the situation was mishandled behind the scenes and that pageant leadership allegedly blamed Henry for the incident.
The fall, captured in widely shared social videos, shows Henry stepping forward in her evening gown before slipping off the edge of the runway. Emergency staff quickly intervened, and she was transported to a local hospital in Bangkok, where she is still undergoing treatment in the ICU.
Miss Haiti Speaks Out: “I Don’t Think They Handled It Correctly”
Melissa Sapini, Miss Haiti, who competed alongside Henry, tells PEOPLE she was disturbed by the way the incident was addressed in a private meeting held for contestants shortly after the fall.
According to Sapini, a staff member opened the meeting by suggesting Henry was responsible because she “wasn’t paying attention.” Sapini says the comment shocked the room, given the severity of the accident.
She recalled thinking that safety messaging felt contradictory — especially as contestants watched their friend and fellow competitor being carried out on a stretcher. “It was incredibly scary,” she said, adding that the emotional strain of repeated stressful moments left many contestants exhausted and disheartened.
Host Organization Says No Blame Was Directed at Henry
While the Miss Universe Organization has not provided comment, the host organization, Miss Grand International, issued a statement asserting that Henry appeared to miss her runway blocking but insisted no one on their team blamed her.
They noted that the large stage and wide runway borders were designed to be safe, emphasizing that no other contestants experienced accidents during the event. The organization described the fall as an “isolated case.”
Contestants Describe a Difficult Pageant Atmosphere
Sapini says Henry’s fall was just one of several stressful and emotionally draining situations throughout the event. She described the environment as overwhelming, with limited downtime and increasing anxiety over the series of controversies that emerged during the competition week.
She recalled sitting silently with her roommate on one of their few breaks, reading unfolding news coverage and feeling their energy “completely drained.” Many contestants — including Sapini — felt shaken, discouraged, and uncertain amid the ongoing incidents.
Miss Universe Owner Shares Update on Miss Jamaica’s Condition
Shortly after the fall, Miss Universe owner Raul Rocha visited Henry in the hospital and shared a social media update reassuring followers that she had no broken bones and was receiving strong medical care.
However, her condition has remained serious. An update from the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization confirmed that Henry is under close watch in the ICU, where she will remain for at least seven days. Her sister, Dr. Phylicia Henry-Samuels, is in Thailand with Henry and their mother as doctors continue specialized monitoring and treatment.
Henry did not participate in the remainder of the competition due to her injuries.
Concerns About Pageant Safety Grow
The incident has intensified broader debates about safety, contestant treatment, and backstage leadership during major international pageants. With multiple controversies emerging in the lead-up to the Miss Universe finale, fans and contestants alike are calling for greater transparency and improved protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As Henry continues her recovery, many in the pageant community have expressed support and hope for healing — and are pushing for answers about what went wrong.
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