The Miss Universe Organization has finally revealed the full extent of the injuries suffered by Miss Jamaica, Dr Gabrielle Henry, after she fell off the stage during the preliminary round in Bangkok.
Henry was rushed to the hospital on November 19 and has remained in critical condition since the fall. The new statement issued on December 8 confirms that she will be flown back to Jamaica in the coming days with a full medical escort and taken straight to a local hospital for continued treatment.
According to the official press release, Henry suffered a “serious fall” which caused an intracranial hemorrhage, loss of consciousness, a fracture, facial lacerations, and “other significant injuries.”
She was immediately admitted into intensive care in Bangkok and has required 24-hour specialist neurological monitoring since the incident, Daily Mail.
The organization also confirmed that it has covered all medical, hospital, and rehabilitation costs, as well as accommodation and living expenses for Henry’s mother and sister, who have remained in Thailand at her bedside.
“From the time the incident took place, the Miss Universe Organization has stood beside Gabrielle and her family as if she were their own,” the statement said. “We have assumed full and immediate responsibility.”
They added that they will also fund her medically supervised repatriation flight and all future medical expenses tied to the incident.
The organization firmly dismissed online claims blaming Henry for the accident, calling such reports “entirely inaccurate” and stressing that Miss Universe has never attributed any fault to her.
Henry’s family also sent out a message of gratitude, thanking Jamaicans, the Miss Universe community and global supporters for the overwhelming love and prayers.
Footage circulating online shows the heartbreaking moment Henry, who was confidently strutting down the runway, accidentally stepped off the edge of the stage and plunged to the ground. Audience members screamed, jumped up from their seats and rushed toward her. Another clip showed her being carried out on a stretcher before being rushed to Paolo Rangsit Hospital.
This year’s Miss Universe competition has already been riddled with controversy. Co-owners Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip and Raul Rocha Cantu reportedly faced arrest shortly after the event. Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, 25, won the pageant despite earlier walking out of a key event after Nawat Itsaragrasil publicly called her “dumb.” Competitors who defended her were allegedly threatened with disqualification, prompting a mass walkout that shook the pageant.
Miss Universe Haiti, Melissa Sapini, later described the pageant as “absolutely diabolical,” saying she doubts whether young women will even want to sign up again if future competitions resemble this year’s chaos.
