Pageantry’s Troubled Past and the Lessons for Miss Universe

Pageantry’s Troubled Past and the Lessons for Miss Universe

The fall of Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, is not the first time a beauty pageant has been forced to confront its vulnerabilities. History is filled with controversies that reveal how fragile the balance between spectacle and safety can be, and how often organizations have failed to learn from past mistakes.

In earlier decades, pageants were criticized for their lack of inclusivity, with women of color and contestants from smaller nations often marginalized or overlooked. 

The 1968 protest against Miss America, where feminists famously discarded bras and cosmetics in what became known as the “bra-burning” myth, was a watershed moment that challenged the very premise of beauty contests. 

That event forced organizers to reckon with accusations of objectification and sexism, though reforms were slow and often superficial.

Safety concerns have also haunted pageants. There have been instances of contestants fainting under hot stage lights, suffering wardrobe malfunctions that left them humiliated, or enduring grueling schedules that compromised their health.

While none of these incidents matched the severity of Henry’s injuries, they collectively highlight a pattern: the welfare of contestants has too often been secondary to the pursuit of spectacle.

Scandals have further eroded trust. From allegations of vote rigging to political interference, pageants have repeatedly been accused of prioritizing profit and publicity over fairness.

The Miss Universe competition itself has faced criticism in the past for opaque judging processes and favoritism.

Each controversy has chipped away at the credibility of pageantry, yet the industry has largely relied on its glamour to survive rather than undertaking meaningful reform.

Henry’s accident, however, may prove different. Unlike past controversies that could be dismissed as political or cultural disputes, her injuries are a stark, undeniable reminder of the physical risks contestants face. T

he Miss Universe Organization’s decision to cover her medical costs and repatriation is a step toward accountability, but it also raises expectations. 

Audiences, sponsors, and participants will demand more than symbolic gestures, they will expect structural changes to ensure safety, transparency, and genuine empowerment.

If history is any guide, pageants that fail to evolve risk irrelevance. The protests of the 1960s reshaped Miss America, and the scandals of the 1990s and 2000s forced organizations to modernize their image.

Now, in the wake of Miss Jamaica’s tragedy, Miss Universe faces a defining choice: cling to tradition and spectacle, or embrace reform that prioritizes the dignity and safety of its contestants.

This moment could mark the beginning of a new era in pageantry, one where empowerment is not just a slogan, but a lived reality for the women who step onto the stage.