The Miss Universe Jamaica Organization has issued a message of “healing” and resilience more than a week after Miss Jamaica Universe 2025, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, was hospitalized following a fall from the stage during preliminary competition at Miss Universe in Bangkok, Thailand.
On December 1, the official Miss Universe Jamaica account posted a reflective statement marking the start of a “season of recovery, reflection and renewed resilience.” The message encouraged Jamaicans to embrace gratitude “for safety, for community, for the strength that binds us together” in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
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“This is our time to rebuild with hope, to restore with compassion, and to uplift each other with kindness,” the statement continued, urging the public to act intentionally, empathetically, and with generosity of spirit. It added that “even in hardship, Jamaica’s spirit remains unshaken. We endure, we unite, and we shine. Welcome, December — a month of healing, courage, and forward movement.”
While framed around national recovery efforts, the message comes shortly after Henry suffered injuries during the evening gown segment at Miss Universe on November 19. She was absent from the final round of competition on November 21.
Following the incident, the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization provided an update on November 21, explaining that Henry’s sister, Dr Phylicia Henry-Samuels, and their mother, Maureen Henry, were with her in Thailand. Dr Henry-Samuels reported that Gabrielle was not progressing as well as hoped but was receiving appropriate medical care.
Medical personnel determined that Henry must remain in the intensive care unit for a minimum of seven days due to the nature of her injuries, which included trauma to the head and lacerations to her chin and foot.
In a November 29 update shared by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, the organization expressed gratitude for the public’s support and confirmed that Henry remains in the ICU “in the process of recovery.” Despite challenges, the family noted that she is “in good spirits” and confident that her strength and resilience will aid her recovery. They continue to monitor her condition in consultation with medical specialists as they await clearance for non-emergency medical transport back to Jamaica.
Further details emerged from Miss Haiti, Melissa Sapini, who spoke to PEOPLE about what took place behind the scenes following Henry’s fall. Sapini alleged that during a meeting with contestants, a staff member from the host organization initially suggested Henry had not been paying attention. “I don’t know that they handled that correctly,” Sapini said, adding that the experience was frightening for those present.
In response, the host organization, Miss Grand International, stated that the fall occurred because Henry “missed her blocking” and may not have been watching the runway. The group emphasized that the stage was large with clearly marked borders and that no other contestants experienced similar incidents. The organization denied blaming Henry.
The Miss Universe Organization has not commented publicly on the matter.
Henry continues to receive care in Thailand as the Jamaican public and pageant supporters await further updates on her recovery.
