Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry Falls Off Miss Universe Stage

In a shocking incident that briefly halted the Miss Universe preliminary competitions, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, Jamaica's representative at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, fell from the stage during the evening gown round on November 19, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. The 28-year-old ophthalmologist was taken to Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where she is currently under observation with no life-threatening injuries.

The Incident: What Happened on Stage

During the preliminary evening gown competition, one of the most anticipated segments of the pageant, Dr. Henry was walking confidently across the stage in a striking orange gown with high heels. According to multiple eyewitness accounts and video footage that quickly spread across social media, she was posing at the front of the stage when she continued walking toward the left side of the runway and suddenly stepped off the edge of the darkened platform.

The fall appeared to catch everyone by surprise. Video shared on social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, captured the moment when Henry seemingly lost her footing and fell forward off the stage. Members of the audience immediately jumped to their feet in concern, while security personnel and pageant staff rushed to her aid.

Additional footage from the event shows medical personnel attending to Henry and subsequently transporting her on a stretcher, underscoring the seriousness with which organizers treated the incident. The images of her being carried away sent shockwaves through social media, with fans and fellow contestants expressing immediate concern for her wellbeing.

Medical Update and Current Condition

The Miss Universe Jamaica Organization released a statement shortly after the incident, providing reassurance to concerned fans worldwide. "Medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries," the statement read. "However, they continue to conduct tests to ensure her full recovery."

Miss Universe Organization President Raúl Rocha Cantú personally visited Henry at the hospital alongside her family. In an Instagram post, he confirmed positive news: "I was there with her family and her, and thankfully, there are no broken bones and she is under good care. She will remain under observation for the rest of the night, and we will remain in touch with her family and support her."

According to the Miss Universe Organization's statement to media outlets, Henry sustained "a couple of minor wounds" and is in stable condition. Medical staff at Paolo Rangsit Hospital are keeping her under observation as a precautionary measure, continuously monitoring her recovery.

Who Is Dr. Gabrielle Henry?

Dr. Gabrielle Henry is far more than just a beauty pageant contestant. The accomplished ophthalmologist has built an impressive career dedicated to medical eye care while simultaneously advocating for underserved communities in Jamaica.

As the founder of the See Me Foundation, Henry has demonstrated her commitment to social impact work. Her charity organization focuses on "providing economic and educational opportunities to members of the visually impaired community of Jamaica," according to the foundation's official Instagram account. This philanthropic work showcases her dedication to improving the lives of those facing vision challenges in her home country.

In an interview with The Jamaica Gleaner just days before the incident, Henry expressed her enthusiasm about representing Jamaica on the global stage. "I'm doing well and I'm appreciative of all that this experience has been offering," she told the publication. "It's truly remarkable to be amongst 120 amazing delegates representing their countries, and to have the opportunity to experience Thai culture and hospitality."

After winning her Miss Universe Jamaica title in August, Henry told The Jamaica Observer: "This pageant is built on a lot of relationships, the sisterhood in the pageant, I'm so grateful for my ladies who supported me along this journey. It also helped me to build a stronger bond with my family."

A Pageant Already Mired in Controversy

Unfortunately, Henry's fall is just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the 74th Miss Universe competition. The pageant has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks.

The Miss Mexico Incident

In early November, the competition was rocked by a scandal involving Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil, who publicly called Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch "stupid" during a livestreamed speech to contestants on November 4. The incident was so egregious that it prompted a walkout by several contestants in solidarity with Bosch.

Miss Universe Mexico characterized the events as "unacceptable." Despite Itsaragrisil's tearful public apology, pageant president Cantú responded to the backlash by implementing a series of sanctions that restricted and almost completely excluded Itsaragrisil from the 74th pageant's events.

Judge Resignation and Integrity Questions

Just days before the final competition, judge Omar Harfouch abruptly resigned from the pageant's official jury panel on November 18. The composer made several serious accusations about the integrity of the competition, claiming that an "impromptu jury" with personal ties to participating contestants had already selected which women would advance from the 136 competitors.

Harfouch also cited a "disrespectful conversation" with Cantú regarding what he characterized as a "lack of transparency in the Miss Universe voting process." The Miss Universe Organization has publicly denied all of his accusations.

Support Pours In for Miss Jamaica

Following news of Henry's fall, social media erupted with messages of support from fans, fellow contestants, and pageant followers worldwide. The Miss Universe Jamaica Organization's statement requested that "everyone stay upbeat, lift her in prayer, and send positive thoughts as she receives the necessary medical care."

Dozens of people responded to the organization's social media posts with well-wishes for Henry's recovery. One Facebook user, Norma Jean Martin, wrote: "You're in our thoughts and prayers, Dr. Henry. Stay strong."

The outpouring of support demonstrates the strong connection that pageant fans feel with contestants, particularly those who, like Henry, use their platform for meaningful advocacy work.

Looking Ahead to the Finals

The 74th Miss Universe final competition is scheduled for November 20, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET. As of the latest updates, Henry's participation status remains uncertain as she continues her recovery at the Bangkok hospital.

Prior to her accident, Henry had successfully participated in both the national costume and swimsuit portions of the preliminary competition, showcasing her preparation and dedication to representing Jamaica on the international stage. Her Instagram stories from before the fall showed her getting glammed up and preparing to take the stage, capturing the excitement and anticipation she felt for the evening gown competition.

The Miss Universe Organization has not yet announced whether Henry will be able to participate in the final competition or if any accommodations will be made given her medical situation. The organization's primary concern appears to be Henry's health and full recovery.

Conclusion

Dr. Gabrielle Henry's fall from the Miss Universe stage serves as a reminder of the physical demands and unexpected challenges that pageant contestants face. While the incident was undoubtedly frightening for Henry, her family, and fans worldwide, the positive medical reports offer reassurance that she is on the path to recovery.

As an accomplished physician and dedicated advocate for the visually impaired community in Jamaica, Henry has already demonstrated that her impact extends far beyond the pageant stage. Whether or not she is able to compete in the final competition, her grace, intelligence, and commitment to service have already made Jamaica proud.

The incident also highlights the need for enhanced safety measures at high-profile events, particularly when stages feature dramatic lighting that may obscure depth perception. As the pageant moves forward, organizers will likely review safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For now, the international community joins in sending positive thoughts and prayers for Dr. Gabrielle Henry's swift and complete recovery.