Key Takeaways
- Former Miss Jamaica Dr. Gabrielle Henry sued the Miss Universe Organization, alleging negligence after she fell roughly five feet through an unmarked stage opening during the 2025 preliminary competition in Bangkok.
- Henry says the fall caused severe brain bleeding and other injuries, forcing her to relearn how to walk and leaving her with ongoing pain nearly a year later.
- Miss Universe says it covered her treatment and medically escorted return to Jamaica, while Henry says she filed the lawsuit because “accountability matters” after support for continuing expenses reportedly faded.
Nearly a year after Dr. Gabrielle Henry plunged roughly five feet through an opening in the Miss Universe stage, the former Miss Jamaica says the accident didn't just end her run at the pageant—it left her with a traumatic brain injury that continues to affect her life.
According to People, Henry filed suit Sept. 21 in Delaware Superior Court against the Miss Universe Organization and related companies, alleging negligence and other claims stemming from her Nov. 19, 2025 fall during the preliminary evening gown competition in Bangkok, Thailand. The complaint alleges Henry was following rehearsed directions when she walked into an unmarked, uncovered opening containing lighting equipment above a concrete base.
“I have no recollection of the fall,” Henry said. “I just know that the bottom of that hole was a concrete base.”
Henry said she had been doing exactly what contestants were instructed to do: looking toward the cameras, stopping at her mark and then turning left when directed.
She lost consciousness after falling.
Her first memory afterward was briefly waking up and seeing her mother standing over her before blacking out again.
Earlier medical updates also disclosed a fracture and facial lacerations.
“Brain injury, it's one of the most traumatizing things,” Henry said. “I would not wish it on my worst enemy.”
Henry spent Nov. 19 through Dec. 10 hospitalized in Thailand, including time in intensive care under continuous neurological monitoring. She later returned to Jamaica with a medical escort.
Her recovery didn't end there: Henry has described having to relearn basic physical tasks, including walking independently, while continuing physiotherapy and medical monitoring. Nearly a year later, she says severe pain can still keep her awake at night.
The lawsuit alleges the danger could have been addressed before Henry ever stepped onto the stage. According to the complaint, intense lighting impaired her ability to see its edge, and other contestants had raised concerns about staging and lighting. It further alleges bright white lights were added around the stage edges after Henry fell.
“I know for a fact I did not trip,” Henry said. “I do think it could have been avoided.”
The Miss Universe Organization previously said it covered Henry's medical, hospital and rehabilitation expenses in Thailand and helped cover her medically escorted return to Jamaica. Henry now says that support changed after she came home, saying she has received little feedback regarding her continuing medical expenses.
Miss Universe said it has not received any request for additional medical costs and had not yet received the lawsuit, so it could not comment on its allegations.
For Henry, the case comes as she continues trying to reclaim both her health and her career in medicine.
“The injuries from the fall took more from me than I can fully put into words,” she said in announcing the lawsuit, citing her career, her opportunity to represent Jamaica, and the year she expected to spend as Miss Jamaica Universe. “I'm filing this lawsuit now because accountability matters.”
