Former Miss Jamaica Sues Miss Universe Org After Shocking Pageant Fall

Miss Jamaica Dr. Gabrielle Henry Suffered Intracranial Hemorrhage After Miss Universe Pageant Fall

Gabrielle Henry is taking legal action.

Nearly one year after the former Miss Jamaica fell during the Miss Universe preliminary evening gown category—which the organization previously confirmed resulted in a brain hemorrhage—she is suing the organization and its parent companies JKN Universe and Legacy Holding Group USA.

Henry is accusing the defendants of negligence; premises liability; negligent hiring, retention and supervision; and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to the Sept. 21 filing with the Delaware Superior Court obtained by People and reviewed by Entertainment Weekly.

The 28-year-old alleged that she was following rehearsed choreography during the competition in November 2025 when she fell approximately five feet through an "unmarked and uncovered opening in the stage" that housed lighting equipment and concrete.  

The pageant star said she suffered a "traumatic brain injury with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage, frontal lobe hemorrhagic contusion, and subdural hemorrhage," according to the lawsuit, leading to a nearly month-long stay in the hospital. 

Henry, who was previously a practicing ophthalmologist, alleged that her injuries had left her "unable to resume her medical residency" since they caused "neurological and cognitive symptoms," which continue to require ongoing care.

She also alleged that the intense lighting during the event had impaired her vision, causing her to fall off the stage. Henry said that the Miss Grand International (MGI)—which was the local host and event producer for the competition—was responsible for the "staging, lighting and safety work" that led to her visual impairment during the walk.

However, she noted that the Miss Universe Organization "retained and exercised control over the manner and means" of those three factors.

E! News has reached out to JKN Universe, Miss Grand International and Henry's attorney for comment and has not yet heard back.

(Photo by Mohan Raj/Getty Images)

For Miss Universe Organization's part, the institution said in a statement to People that it hadn't "been served with, nor has it received, any lawsuit, claim, demand letter, or subpoena from Ms. Henry or anyone acting on her behalf" and "therefore not in a position to comment on claims we have not seen."

However, the Miss Universe Organization did assert that because the competition was in Thailand, "the venue, the stage, and on-site safety, rested with the host and production entities, MGI and Miss Universe Thailand."

"When those parties failed to cover Ms. Henry's hospital expenses and left her unattended, the Miss Universe Organization stepped in and paid them, despite having no obligation to do so," the statement continued. "The Organization also covered her treatment at a specialized hospital in Jamaica following her return home."

The organization also said it went "well beyond any legal responsibility," offering Henry a position on their team as a goodwill ambassador but ultimately did not receive a response.

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