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The Miss Universe Organization has provided an update on the condition of Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, following her fall during the preliminary round of the competition in Bangkok.
Henry was rushed to the hospital on November 19 and has remained in critical condition since the accident. In a statement released on December 8, the organization confirmed that she will be flown back to Jamaica in the coming days under a full medical escort and taken directly to a local hospital for continued treatment.
According to the press release, Henry suffered a “serious fall” resulting in an intracranial hemorrhage, loss of consciousness, a fracture, facial lacerations, and other significant injuries. She was immediately admitted to intensive care in Bangkok and has required 24-hour specialist neurological monitoring since the incident.
The Miss Universe 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 stayed by her side in Thailand.
“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 read. “We have assumed full and immediate responsibility.”
The organization added that it will fund Henry’s medically supervised flight home and all future medical expenses related to the accident. They also strongly denied online claims blaming Henry for the incident, calling such reports “entirely inaccurate.”
Henry’s family expressed gratitude to supporters, thanking Jamaicans, the Miss Universe community, and fans worldwide for their prayers and messages of support.
Footage circulating online shows the shocking moment Henry accidentally stepped off the edge of the stage while walking the runway, plunging to the ground. Audience members screamed and rushed to her aid. Another clip shows her being carried out on a stretcher before being taken to Paolo Rangsit Hospital.
This year’s Miss Universe pageant has already been marked by controversy. Co-owners Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip and Raul Rocha Cantu reportedly faced legal scrutiny shortly after the event. Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, 25, won the competition despite earlier walking out of a key event after being publicly insulted by pageant official Nawat Itsaragrasil. Competitors who defended her allegedly faced threats of disqualification, sparking a mass walkout that shook the pageant.
Miss Universe Haiti, Melissa Sapini, described the competition as “absolutely diabolical” and expressed doubts about whether young women would want to participate in future editions if they follow the same chaotic pattern.
