Dr. Gabrielle Henry, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, has filed a lawsuit against the Miss Universe Organization and its parent companies over a stage fall that left her with serious injuries during last year's pageant in Thailand. The lawsuit, filed on September 21, 2026, in Delaware Superior Court, claims negligence, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Henry's complaint names the Miss Universe Organization, JKN Legacy Inc., and Legacy Holding Group USA as defendants.
The incident occurred on November 19, 2025, in Bangkok, during the preliminary evening gown competition. Henry fell through an opening in the stage while following choreography she had rehearsed. She had been instructed to stop, face the cameras, and then turn left, but suddenly fell through the opening. The fall was captured on video and showed Henry disappearing through the stage in an orange gown. She lost consciousness and later learned that the opening had a concrete base below it.
The accident left Henry with serious head, back, and facial injuries, including a brain bleed. She was hospitalized from November 19 to December 10, 2025. In her first major interview about the incident with ABC News, Henry described the experience as one of the most traumatic moments of her life. The physical injuries were accompanied by an emotional struggle as she tried to reconnect with her body and rebuild her life after the accident.
Henry's lawsuit claims that the accident could have been prevented and argues that appropriate safety measures should have been in place around the stage opening. Her lawyer, Joseph Ciacco, said the lawsuit aims to address responsibility for what happened and push for greater attention to contestant safety. The Miss Universe Organization has stated that it has not received the lawsuit and therefore cannot comment on claims it has not seen.
In a statement to ABC News, the Miss Universe Organization said Henry's health and well-being had always been a priority. The organization also stated that it had not received any request or claim for additional medical expenses. Henry has now turned her attention to recovery while pursuing the legal case. Despite the ordeal, she remains grateful for the opportunity to have represented Jamaica on the Miss Universe stage.
The incident has affected Henry's professional life and raised fears about whether she would be able to continue her career. She maintains that the organisers had a responsibility to ensure that the stage, lighting, and other production elements did not expose contestants to unnecessary danger. Henry is now seeking answers and accountability through the courts as she continues her recovery.
Nearly a year after the fall that abruptly changed her pageant journey, Henry's case highlights the importance of contestant safety in beauty pageants. Her lawsuit seeks to hold the Miss Universe Organization accountable for the injuries she sustained.
Key points
- Dr. Gabrielle Henry filed a lawsuit against the Miss Universe Organization over a stage fall that left her with serious injuries.
- The incident occurred on November 19, 2025, in Bangkok, during the preliminary evening gown competition.
- Henry's lawsuit claims negligence, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
