Gabrielle has ‘pure queen spirit’ - Jamaicans rally behind Miss Universe candidate after nasty fall

Jamaicans reacted with a mix of disbelief and concern yesterday as video footage surfaced of Miss Universe Jamaica 2025, Dr Gabrielle Henry, falling off the stage during the Miss Universe preliminary competition in Thailand.

It was a moment that many said felt like another blow in the island's recent run of misfortune.

"Football flop, hurricane lick wi and now queen drop pon international stage," said Marcia 'Peppa' Smith, watching the clip circulate downtown as pedestrians paused to view it on phones. "We tired, man. Every week is something. But mi nuh lie, mi still proud a she. Jamaica always bounce back and she will too."

Her reaction echoed the wave of shock that spread as the footage gained traction online. The fall happened shortly after Henry concluded her evening gown presentation. As she took the final step toward the edge of the runway, where overhead lights cast a sharp glare on the polished surface, her heel appeared to slip, sending her forward off the platform. Several Jamaicans who watched the livestream said the moment was gut-wrenching.

"Mi heart sink when mi see it," said Andre Mitchell, who had been watching from a bar in Half-Way Tree. "She step forward and just vanish off the stage. Mi glad fi hear she never get no life-threatening injury."

He added, "Dem cya penalise her fi that. Anybody could a slip pon a stage like that. Mi hope the judges look pan the whole performance, not just the fall."

The Miss Universe Jamaica organisation later confirmed that Henry was rushed to the Paolo Rangsit Hospital in Bangkok, where she is undergoing precautionary tests. No life-threatening injuries have been reported.

Henry had already delivered strong performances in the national costume and swimwear preliminaries earlier this week, earning praise from Jamaicans following the competition closely. The 74th Miss Universe coronation is scheduled for today at the Impact Challenger Hall Arena, with delegates from 120 countries competing.

Brandon, another passerby, argued that the moment was less about the stumble and more about the resilience she demonstrated, something he said Jamaicans deeply connect with

"She drop, yes but she still elegant. She still a represent wi strong," he told THE STAR. "How she handle herself after show pure queen spirit. A fall can't define her."

Ellis said moments like these remind Jamaicans how much expectation sits on the shoulders of anyone representing the island on a global stage.

"Is pressure fi carry a whole country pon yuh back, and she a handle it. Jamaica see her effort, and that bigger than any stumble."

However, Samantha Blake, 34, said watching the clip repeatedly only reinforced how stunning Henry had looked moments before the accident.

"She looked beautiful, man. Absolutely beautiful," she said. "Mi just hope she can still walk in the finale... she work too hard fi come this far. Prayer up."

She added that the country is craving a positive moment after a difficult few weeks.

"Win or lose, mi just hope she strong enough fi finish what she start. Jamaica need some good news right now, and she could still gi wi that."

"A competition at this level nuh suppose fi have runway weh slippery. Dem need fi investigate that, it coulda be any of the 120 girls," she said.