The Future of Pageantry After Miss Jamaica’s Tragedy

The Future of Pageantry After Miss Jamaica’s Tragedy

The shocking fall of Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, during the Miss Universe preliminaries has not only raised questions about safety protocols but may also mark a turning point in how international pageants are organized and perceived. 

What was once a spectacle of glamour and cultural pride has been jolted into a conversation about accountability, ethics, and the well-being of contestants.

At its core, the incident underscores the vulnerability of participants who are often expected to perform under intense pressure, in environments designed more for spectacle than safety.

The fact that Henry suffered an intracranial hemorrhage, fractures, and other serious injuries while simply walking the runway highlights the risks inherent in staging such events.

The Miss Universe Organization’s decision to assume full financial responsibility for her medical care and repatriation is commendable, but it also sets a precedent: pageants can no longer treat accidents as isolated misfortunes.

They must institutionalize safety measures, from stage design to medical preparedness, as part of their duty of care.

This tragedy also intersects with broader controversies surrounding the 2025 Miss Universe competition. Reports of contestants being threatened with disqualification, co-owners facing arrest, and mass walkouts have already cast doubt on the integrity of the event. In this context,

Henry’s accident amplifies concerns that the pageant has lost sight of its mission to empower women. Instead, it risks being seen as exploitative, prioritizing spectacle over participant welfare.

Looking forward, several shifts seem inevitable. First, there will likely be stronger calls for transparency in how pageants are managed, with independent oversight to ensure fairness and safety. Second, the incident may accelerate a cultural reevaluation of beauty contests themselves.

As Miss Universe Haiti, Melissa Sapini, bluntly put it, the competition felt “absolutely diabolical,” raising doubts about whether young women will continue to see pageantry as a viable platform for empowerment. T

hird, sponsors and audiences may demand reforms, pushing organizations to modernize their practices or risk irrelevance.

Dr. Gabrielle Henry’s ordeal is more than a personal tragedy, it is a watershed moment for the pageant industry. If Miss Universe and similar competitions wish to survive in a world increasingly attuned to issues of ethics and responsibility, they must evolve.

The glamour of the crown can no longer overshadow the duty to protect those who wear it.