Former Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Henry is taking legal action nearly one year after a frightening fall changed her life. Henry has filed a lawsuit against the Miss Universe Organization and two related companies over the November 2025 incident.
The lawsuit was filed Monday, Sept. 21, in Delaware Superior Court. It names JKN Legacy Inc. and Legacy Holding Group USA alongside the Miss Universe Organization.
Henry is bringing five claims against the defendants. Those include negligence, premises liability and negligent hiring, retention and supervision. She is also alleging negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The legal action follows Henry’s fall during the Miss Universe preliminary competition in Thailand on Nov. 19, 2025. According to the complaint, Henry was completing rehearsed choreography when she fell about five feet through an opening in the stage.
The lawsuit describes the area as an “unmarked and uncovered opening” containing lighting equipment and concrete. Henry alleges intense stage lighting also affected her visibility while she performed her walk.
Henry says injuries changed her medical career
Henry reportedly lost consciousness after the fall and was rushed to the hospital. The Jamaican beauty queen suffered serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit says she experienced an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage and a frontal lobe hemorrhagic contusion. She also suffered a subdural hemorrhage.
Henry remained hospitalized from Nov. 19 until Dec. 10, according to court documents cited by multiple outlets. The Miss Universe Organization previously confirmed that Henry suffered an intracranial hemorrhage and lost consciousness.
The organization also confirmed she suffered a fracture, facial lacerations and other significant injuries. Henry was an ophthalmologist and completing her medical residency before the incident.
However, the lawsuit claims her injuries prevented her from returning to her residency.
She allegedly continues to experience neurological and cognitive symptoms. Those symptoms have required continued treatment, rehabilitation and medical follow-up.
Henry is seeking damages connected to her medical expenses and alleged loss of earning capacity. She is also seeking damages for lost professional opportunities and emotional distress.
The complaint describes the accident as the “most traumatic moment” of Henry’s life. Henry also claims widespread coverage of the incident contributed to additional emotional distress.
Miss Universe responds to lawsuit
The lawsuit raises broader allegations about safety measures surrounding the pageant stage. Henry alleges other contestants previously raised concerns about lighting and staging conditions.
The complaint also claims changes were made after her accident. Bright white lights were allegedly added to make the stage’s edges more visible. The Miss Universe Organization has disputed aspects surrounding responsibility for the production.
In a statement to PEOPLE, the organization said it had not been formally served with Henry’s lawsuit.
“To date, the Organization has not been served with, nor has it received, any lawsuit, claim, demand letter, or subpoena from Ms. Henry or anyone acting on her behalf,” the organization said. “We are therefore not in a position to comment on claims we have not seen.”
The organization said local production responsibilities belonged to Miss Grand International and Miss Universe Thailand. Those responsibilities included the venue, stage and on-site safety, according to the organization.
Miss Universe also said it stepped in to cover Henry’s hospital expenses after the accident. The organization said it later paid for specialized treatment after Henry returned to Jamaica.
Months before the lawsuit, Miss Universe publicly rejected suggestions that Henry was responsible for the fall.
“Certain media reports suggesting that Dr. Henry contributed in any way to the incident are entirely inaccurate,” the organization said in December 2025. “The Miss Universe Organization has never attributed blame to Dr Henry and confirms that those suggestions are unfounded and do not reflect the facts.”
Henry’s lawsuit maintains that unsafe conditions contributed to her fall and subsequent injuries. The allegations have not been proven in court. A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.