MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe Organization President Raul Rocha hasstrongly denied online allegations that the results of the recently concluded pageant were rigged.
Rocha released a series of statements on social media defending the integrity of the competition and addressing controversy surrounding a judge who claimed he resigned before the finals.
In a three-part Instagram post, Rocha discussedthe challenges contestants face throughout the competition.
He emphasized that what viewers witness on the final night represents only a fraction of what determines a Miss Universe winner, saying the three hours onstage “do not reflect all the qualities” a queen must possess.
In the second part of his statement, Rocha addressed head-on the claims that judges had walked out before the coronation.
“The only truth that stands is that no judge resigned,” he said.
He then referred to a musician — widely believed Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch, the judge who publicly alleged irregularities — in unusually sharp terms.
"The musician, whom nobody knew, turned out to be an opportunist, and anyone with good judgment can see how an unknown person tried to latch onto the fame of Miss Universe to gain followers,” Rocha wrote.
Rocha said he had initially supported the musician “for his so-called ‘concert for peace,’” adding, “Honestly, I feel pity and compassion for someone I was asked to help … someone who could never even look me in the eye because he always hides behind dark glasses, even at night.”
Rocha accused the musician of manufacturing public drama for personal gain.
"The entire circus surrounding the resignation of two other judges was created falsely, once again, by the pseudo-musician for his own benefit, knowing that with his poor and limited career, he would not receive media attention otherwise,” he said.
He added, "I demanded that he stop involving third parties who have never claimed to have resigned because that is not the case, and the particular circumstances of each situation have nothing to do with this unfortunate musician’s intentions.”
In the final portion of his statement, Rocha defended the organization’s independence and transparency.
Miss Universe, he said, is “a 100% private organization. We do not receive public funds or sponsorships from any public entity. Judges do not receive any payment for participating, and Miss Universe Organization covers all expenses incurred by those who honor us with their presence.”
Rocha ended, "Nothing and no one will stop the global phenomenon that is Miss Universe, a phenomenon heard and felt around the world. The results speak for themselves, and we are only a few days in. We will break every record.”
After releasing his statement, Rocha followed up with photos of legal documents detailing his companies and clarifying how he came to own 50 percent of the Miss Universe Organization.