The Miss Universe pageant has been synonymous with glamour and prestige since its inception in 1952, yet it has also been marred by numerous controversies over the decades. Held in Long Beach, California, the first event was organised by Pacific Knitting Mills, a clothing manufacturer best known for Catalina swimwear. Armi Kuusela, representing Finland, was crowned the first Miss Universe, though she controversially relinquished her title before the end of her reign due to marriage—a stipulation that prevented married women from competing until the rules were amended in 2022.
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Despite its long-standing history and significant cultural impact, the pageant has weathered a range of scandals and disputes, from changes in ownership to overturned results. Most recently, the Miss Universe Organisation has drawn attention for a personal injury lawsuit filed by former Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, who claims negligence on the part of the organisation resulted in her falling and suffering injuries during the preliminary competition in 2025.
One of the earliest noted controversies occurred in 1957, when Miss USA Mary Leona Gage was disqualified just days after winning her title. Gage had misrepresented her personal circumstances, as she was both married and a mother of two, while also lying about her age. This led to a scandal that tarnished her reputation and ended her brief reign before the Miss Universe contest began. Although another contestant was ready to assume her title, she could not participate in the Miss Universe event as it had already begun, leaving Gage in a precarious position.
The pageant attracted media attention yet again in 1996 when former owner Donald Trump made headlines for comments he made regarding Miss Universe winner Alicia Machado’s weight. Machado alleged that Trump publicly shamed her at a gym in an effort to enforce a weight loss regimen. The incident left Machado grappling with severe psychological repercussions, including an eating disorder. Trump’s admission of guilt further ignited discussions about the pressures faced by contestants and the standards set by the pageantry industry.
A highly publicised blunder occurred in 2015 that sent shockwaves through the pageant community. Steve Harvey, then the host of Miss Universe, mistakenly crowned Miss Colombia as the winner instead of the actual victor, Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. The blunder, caught on camera, quickly went viral and prompted an apology from Harvey, marking a significant moment in the pageant’s narrative.
Controversy reared its head again in 2024 when Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organisation, faced backlash over comments made in leaked footage. In the video, Jakrajutatip was heard suggesting that certain contestants—specifically diverse competitors—“cannot win” because they do not conform to the Miss Universe ideal. Following a social media outcry, Jakrajutatip condemned the editing of the footage as manipulative and misleading, defending her commitment to inclusivity within the organisation.
More recently, tensions escalated during a pre-pageant event in November 2025 when several contestants walked out amid a heated exchange between Miss Universe Thailand executive Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch. Itsaragrisil publicly reprimanded Bosch for allegedly not participating in a promotional photo shoot. Following Bosch’s exit from the venue, she commented on the lack of respect shown to her by the pageant executives, bringing scrutiny to how participants are treated within the competition.
The ongoing saga reached a new height when Gabrielle Henry filed her lawsuit in 2026, alleging unsafe conditions during the contest’s preliminary events. Henry reportedly fell through an unmarked hole in the stage, which she claims was inadequately illuminated due to bright lighting, leading to her injuries. In response, the Miss Universe Organisation stated that they had not yet received any formal complaint regarding Henry’s claims, leaving their legal standing in a state of uncertainty.
As the Miss Universe pageant continues to evolve, these controversies have sparked discussions about safety, representation, and the integrity of the competition. The complexities surrounding the event illustrate the fine line that organisers must navigate in maintaining a reputable image while fostering an inclusive environment for diverse contestants from around the world. As the organisation faces these challenges head-on, many will be watching closely to see how it adapts and rectifies its approach moving forward.