The Miss Universe Organization is facing yet another controversy as Miss Iceland, Helena Hafþórsdóttir O’Connor, renounces her title of Miss Universe Iceland 2025. In an Instagram post, O’Connor stated that she considers her contract with the organization terminated and criticized the treatment she received. She explained that after winning the Miss Universe Iceland pageant in April, she was set to represent her country at the main Miss Universe pageant in Thailand on November 21. However, her plans took a turn when she contracted severe food poisoning and was pulled out of the competition. O’Connor alleged that the national director of the Iceland pageant organization removed her from Miss Universe without her consent, despite her arrangement with the organization and her family’s pleas to allow her time to recover.
The Miss Universe Iceland organization has categorically denied her claim. This is not the first time the organization has faced controversy. One of the judges, Omar Harfouch, claimed online that the finalists were selected beforehand during a “secret vote” by an “impromptu jury,” leading to his resignation before the final pageant in November. Harfouch also made controversial statements about Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, who won the Miss Universe title this year. He alleged that her win was due to a business relationship between the Miss Universe owner and Bosch’s father, which the organization denied. Furthermore, during the pageant’s preliminary round, Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, suffered a serious fall off the stage while modeling an evening gown, resulting in a critical condition and requiring intensive care in Bangkok. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges and controversies within the Miss Universe Organization.
