Another crown has been handed back at Miss Universe, as Helena Hafþórsdóttir O’Connor announced she is stepping down from her role as Miss Universe Iceland, making her the latest contestant to walk away from the pageant amid growing controversy.
In an Instagram statement shared on December 15, O’Connor said she considers her contract with the Miss Universe Iceland organization “terminated” and confirmed she is giving up her Miss Universe Iceland 2025 title.
Her exit comes after she claimed she was pulled from the Miss Universe competition without her approval while receiving treatment for severe food poisoning in Thailand.
“Unfortunately things took a quick turn when I got severe food poisoning and was pulled out of the competition,” O’Connor wrote.
She alleged that even after Miss Universe Organization representatives assured her she’d have time to recover and still compete, the Icelandic national pageant director removed her from the contest anyway.
O’Connor also said the decision was made “despite my family’s pleas to the national director to let me get better so I could stand a chance at competing.” She further claimed that once she returned home, she was told she would need to pay a penalty in order to continue her reign as Miss Iceland.
“I find this profoundly strange as I was fighting for my health, fighting to stay in the competition, at the time when they pulled me out,” she wrote, adding that she believes the organization “completely broken our contract.”
In a statement to People, the organization “categorically” denied removing her without consent, saying O’Connor “independently and unequivocally communicated her decision to withdraw,” and that written documentation supports their claim.
As for penalties, Miss Universe Iceland stated that there is “no penalty being imposed” for O’Connor’s non-participation at Miss Universe. However, they noted that certain contractual obligations apply to anyone who continues to hold the Miss Iceland title.
The organization also rejected claims that O’Connor was silenced about her illness, explaining that they only requested coordinated public messaging while details were being reviewed.
O’Connor, however, ended her statement by saying she saw “no way of being able to continue to work under these circumstances,” adding, “I refuse to have my voice silenced.”
Her resignation adds to the ongoing turmoil surrounding Miss Universe 2025.
In the weeks leading up to the November 21 pageant in Bangkok, the organization faced several controversies, including a viral confrontation between a pageant executive and eventual winner Fátima Bosch, the resignation of multiple judges, and allegations of judging irregularities.
O’Connor now joins a growing list of former titleholders who have stepped down. Olivia Yacé, who finished in the top five at Miss Universe 2025, resigned from her Miss Universe Africa and Oceania title on November 24, citing personal values.
Earlier, Brigitta Schaback also stepped away from her role as Miss Universe Estonia, saying her values no longer aligned with those of her national organization.
