Miss Jamaica Suffered Life-Threatening Brain Hemorrhage, Fractures and Loss of Consciousness, Miss Universe Confirms

More than two weeks after a shocking accident during the Miss Universe preliminaries in Bangkok, the organization behind the global pageant has released new details about the serious injuries suffered by Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Alexis Henry.

Henry, who represented Jamaica at the 74th Miss Universe competition, was hospitalized in Thailand after falling from the stage during the evening gown segment of the preliminary show on Nov. 19. The incident unfolded in front of a live audience and fellow contestants, prompting immediate concern and speculation about her condition.

In a statement issued Monday, the Miss Universe Organization said Henry sustained multiple severe injuries, including an intracranial hemorrhage that caused a loss of consciousness, a fracture, facial lacerations and other trauma. According to the organization, she was admitted directly to an intensive care unit in Bangkok, where she remained under continuous neurological observation for several days.

The release was shared jointly with Henry's family and sought to clarify both her medical status and the response to the incident, following weeks of rumors and conflicting reports circulating online and in entertainment media.

"Dr. Henry suffered a serious fall through an opening on the stage while performing her walk during the preliminary competition," the statement said, confirming the most detailed account to date of what occurred during the event.

While Henry is now considered stable enough to travel, the Miss Universe Organization said she continues to require round the clock specialist care. She is expected to return to Jamaica in the coming days with a full medical escort and will be transferred directly to a hospital upon arrival to continue her recovery.

The organization also confirmed it has covered all hospital, medical and rehabilitation expenses during Henry's treatment in Thailand, as well as accommodations and living costs for her mother and sister, who traveled to Bangkok to be at her side. In addition, officials said Miss Universe is funding her medically supervised repatriation flight and has committed to covering future medical expenses related to the incident.

Henry's fall became one of the most talked about moments of the 2025 pageant, not only because of the severity of her injuries but also due to allegations about how the situation was handled behind the scenes. Melissa Sapini, who represented Haiti at Miss Universe, previously told international media that contestants were summoned to a meeting after the accident where, she claimed, a staff member suggested Henry had not been paying attention when she fell.

Those assertions fueled criticism on social media and intensified scrutiny of pageant safety protocols. A representative for the host organization initially suggested the incident may have involved a missed stage mark, though the Miss Universe Organization has now firmly rejected any suggestion that Henry was at fault.

"Certain media reports suggesting that Dr. Henry contributed in any way to the incident are entirely inaccurate," the statement said. "The Miss Universe Organization has never attributed blame to Dr. Henry and confirms that those suggestions are unfounded."

Miss Universe co-owner Raúl Rocha echoed that position in a message posted to Instagram, where he expressed relief at Henry's planned return home and thanked supporters for their prayers. He also criticized what he described as insensitive and misleading narratives surrounding the accident, emphasizing that the focus should remain on Henry's recovery.

Henry and her family, through the statement, expressed gratitude for the support they have received from Jamaicans, the international pageant community and fans worldwide, describing the messages of solidarity as a source of strength during an extremely difficult period.

Miss Universe 2025 concluded on Nov. 21, with Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch taking the crown amid a competition already marked by public disputes, resignations and controversy. Henry's accident added a sobering dimension to a pageant season defined as much by turmoil as by glamour.

For now, officials say the priority is Henry's long term health and rehabilitation, as she begins the next phase of recovery back in Jamaica, far from the lights of the Miss Universe stage where her journey was abruptly interrupted.

Originally published on Latin Times