Ex-Miss Jamaica Sues Miss Universe Over Stage Fall

Former Miss Jamaica, Dr Gabrielle Henry, has sued the Miss Universe Organisation over a stage fall during the 2025 pageant in Thailand that left her with a brain bleed and other injuries.

Henry, an ophthalmology resident, filed the lawsuit on September 21 against the Miss Universe Organisation and its parent companies, JKN Legacy Inc. and Legacy Holding Group USA.

The lawsuit contains five claims, including negligence, negligent hiring, retention and supervision, as well as negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Henry disclosed the legal action during her first sit-down interview about the incident, which aired on ABC News’ Good Morning America on Thursday.

She said she was following the movements she had rehearsed during the national costume presentation in Bangkok when she suddenly fell through an opening in the stage.

Henry said she lost consciousness during the fall and could not remember the incident itself. She recalled waking up to her mother looking down at her before losing consciousness again.

She suffered a brain bleed as well as facial and back injuries and was taken to hospital, where she was admitted to intensive care and placed under neurological monitoring.

Henry said the injuries had affected her physically and emotionally, with severe pain sometimes preventing her from sleeping. She also feared that the injuries could end her medical career.

The former beauty queen said she believed the incident could have been prevented if proper safety measures had been put in place around the stage opening.

Her lawyer, Joseph Ciaccio, said the lawsuit was intended to seek accountability and improve safety for contestants participating in pageants.

Henry said the Miss Universe Organisation initially supported her during her treatment in Thailand but that communication about her continuing medical expenses reduced after she returned to Jamaica.

The organisation said it had not received the lawsuit and was therefore unable to comment on the claims. It added that Henry’s health and wellbeing had always been a priority and said it had not received any request or claim for additional medical expenses.