Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, is recovering after a frightening tumble during the Miss Universe preliminary evening gown competition in Thailand, an incident that shocked both audiences in the arena and viewers online.
The accident occurred as Henry made her way down the dimly lit runway in Bangkok wearing a striking orange gown. Video (below) widely circulated on social media shows the ophthalmologist stepping off the edge of the stage and appearing to fall face-first. Spectators immediately jumped from their seats to assist, and a later clip showed Henry being transported out of the venue on a stretcher.
According to the Miss Universe Jamaica organization, Henry was taken to Paolo Rangsit Hospital shortly after the fall. In a statement, the group assured fans that “medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries; however, they continue to conduct tests to ensure her full recovery.” The organization encouraged supporters to “stay upbeat, lift her in prayer, and send positive thoughts as she receives the necessary medical care.”
Miss Universe owner Raul Rocha, who was at the hospital with Henry and her family, echoed those reassurances. He confirmed that she escaped major harm, saying she is “under good care” and calling it fortunate that “there are no broken bones.” Rocha added that she would remain under observation overnight, noting, “Our prayers go out for her prompt recovery.”
Henry had spent the week participating in various preliminary events—including the swimsuit, national costume, and evening gown rounds—as contestants from 136 countries vied for a spot in the upcoming finals. Before the accident, her Instagram Stories showed her preparing backstage, sharing moments from her glam session ahead of the high-profile competition.
Beyond her pageant duties, Henry is known in Jamaica as an ophthalmologist and the founder of the See Me Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with visual impairments.
Her scheduled appearance in Friday’s 47th annual Miss Universe pageant comes at a turbulent time for the organization. The competition has already faced controversy, including the sudden resignation of judge Omar Harfouch, who claimed that an “impromptu jury” with personal connections to contestants had improperly influenced which participants would advance. Additionally, Miss Universe executive Nawat Itsaragrisil was dismissed following a heated confrontation with Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch—a clash that prompted roughly a dozen contestants to walk out of a pre-pageant event in protest.
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