Gabrielle Henry, Miss Jamaica and a medical doctor, has filed a lawsuit against the Miss Universe organization following a stage accident during the preliminary rounds of the 2025 pageant held in Thailand. The legal action, initiated on Monday in Delaware Superior Court, alleges that Henry suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling into an unmarked and uncovered opening on the stage.

According to the complaint, Henry was blinded by intense stage lighting when she inadvertently stepped into a five-foot-deep hole that contained concrete and lighting equipment. The fall reportedly left her unconscious and resulted in multiple brain bleeds. The lawsuit contends that the stage opening was neither barricaded nor properly marked, and that no safety measures were in place despite concerns raised by contestants during rehearsals and the live event.

Henry described the incident as a life-altering event, stating that her recovery from the brain injury has been a profoundly difficult process. She spent several months hospitalized in both Bangkok and Jamaica from November 2025 to March 2026. The injury has forced her to pause her medical residency and has disrupted her career in ophthalmology. In a personal essay, Henry reflected on the painful irony of being treated in hospitals as a patient while training to become a specialist physician.

The lawsuit accuses Miss Universe and the Thai pageant producer, Miss Grand International, of negligence, premises liability, and causing emotional distress. It seeks accountability for what Henry characterizes as inadequate safety precautions during the high-profile event.

Initially, Miss Universe officials downplayed the severity of the incident, describing Henry’s injuries as minor wounds. However, weeks after the accident, the organization acknowledged the seriousness of the fall, expressed full responsibility for the incident, and confirmed that it covered Henry’s medical expenses.

Since the accident, Henry has made limited public appearances. She appeared at a charity event in Atlanta in May, where she was seated, and in August returned briefly to the stage to crown Nevaeh Allen as the new Miss Jamaica 2026. The lawsuit comes nearly a year after the incident, highlighting the long-term impact the accident has had on Henry’s personal and professional life.