Former Miss Universe Jamaica Dr. Gabrielle Henry has sued the Miss Universe Organization and two of its parent companies over the stage fall that left her with serious injuries during last year’s pageant in Thailand.
Henry filed the lawsuit on September 21, 2026, in Delaware Superior Court, naming the Miss Universe Organization, JKN Legacy Inc. and Legacy Holding Group USA as defendants. The complaint includes claims of negligence, premises liability, negligent hiring, retention and supervision, as well as negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The legal action stems from the November 19, 2025 incident in Bangkok, where Henry fell through an opening in the stage during the preliminary evening gown competition.
According to Henry, she was following the choreography she had rehearsed and had been instructed to stop, face the cameras and then turn left. She said it was while following those instructions that she suddenly fell through the opening.
The fall was captured on video and quickly circulated online, showing the Jamaican contestant disappearing through the stage as she walked in an orange gown.
Henry said she lost consciousness during the fall and has no memory of the moment itself. She later learned that the opening had a concrete base below it.
The accident left her with serious head, back and facial injuries. She suffered a brain bleed and was hospitalised from November 19 to December 10, according to reports.
Speaking to ABC News in her first major interview about the incident, Henry described the experience as one of the most traumatic moments of her life.
She said 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 also said the incident has affected her professional life and raised fears about whether she would be able to continue her career.
She maintains that the accident could have been prevented and argues that appropriate safety measures should have been in place around the stage opening.
According to her, the organisers had a responsibility to ensure that the stage, lighting and other production elements did not expose contestants to unnecessary danger.
Henry’s lawyer, Joseph Ciacco, said the lawsuit is intended to address responsibility for what happened and push for greater attention to contestant safety.
The Miss Universe Organization, however, has said it has not received the lawsuit and therefore cannot comment on claims it has not seen.
In a statement to ABC News, the organisation said Henry’s health and well-being had always been a priority. It also said 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 said she remains grateful for the opportunity to have represented Jamaica on the Miss Universe stage.
Nearly a year after the fall that abruptly changed her pageant journey, Henry is now seeking answers and accountability through the courts as she continues her recovery.
