Miss Jamaica is stepping out publicly for the first time, nearly six months after her horrific fall from the Miss Universe Stage left her hospitalized
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Henry attended a gala for the Integrity Children's Fund in Atlanta, Ga., on May 16, an organization dedicated to responding to the problem of high illiteracy rates in Jamaican teenagers who have immigrated to the Atlanta area
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"Despite the prolonged recovery I have been going through, I could not miss being present to support such a remarkable event," Henry said in her remarks
Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henryis stepping out for her first public appearance, six months after a fall from the Miss Universe pageant stage left her hospitalized in November.On May 16, Henry attended the Integrity Children's Fund's Dinner en Rouge Gala in Atlanta, Ga., in support of the organization that offers a response to the "problem of relatively high illiteracy rate among children." The organization was initially developed to address the needs of children in Jamaica, but has since been "extended to address the challenges of literacy among immigrant children who have settled in the metro Atlanta area," its website reads.In a video shared to Instagram Stories by an attendee of the event and viewed by PEOPLE, Gabrielle Henry delivered remarks seated in a chair on stage at the gala. A man next to her held a microphone for the pageant queen as she spoke about the event's importance to her, and what it meant to be "amongst friends, family and fellow Jamaicans" for the evening."Despite the prolonged recovery I have been going through, I could not miss being present to support such a remarkable event," Henry said in the video snippet from her speech."Today we recognize and celebrate the amazing efforts of our fellow brothers — members of the Jamaican diaspora who have poured out their hearts and souls into something so meaningful and empowering," she added, before the clip cut off.
Following hershocking fall from the pageant stage at the global beauty pageant Miss Universein November 2025 — where she was hospitalized after sustaining a fracture and intracranial hemorrhage among other injuries — the pageant queen and ophthalmologist has shared sporadic updates on her recovery on social media.On March 19, Miss Jamaica pageant organizers Mark McDermoth and Karl Williams confirmed to Jamaican news outletThe GleanerthatHenry had been released from the hospitaland was recovering with help from her medical team, four months after the fall. PEOPLE also confirmed with representatives for Miss Universe Jamaica that Henry has been released from the hospital, but remained under close medical watch and care.“She has not yet returned to active Miss Universe Jamaica duties; therefore, no interviews nor official appearances are currently on her itinerary,” McDermoth and Williams told the outlet.Henry was taken away on a stretcher after taking a shocking fall from the stage while competing during the Miss Universe preliminary evening gown round in Thailand on Nov. 19. At the time, Miss Universe co-owner shared that Henry was being treated at a local hospital in Bangkok.Barely a day after her fall, Henry wasnotably absent from the pageant's official competition, and three days later, it was confirmed in an Instagram Stories post to the official Miss Universe Jamaica Organization account that Henry was still in the hospital.
A few days later, on Nov. 24, the Miss Universe Organization shared another update on Henry's health. “The Miss Universe Organization wishes to address recent speculation by providing a clear and respectful update regarding Dr. Gabrielle Henry Miss Universe Jamaica 2025,” the organization's president, Raúl Rocha, wrote in a statement shared onInstagramby the official Miss Jamaica team, adding that the Organization would maintain "strict discretion regarding specific details of her medical status."On Dec. 8, the Miss Universe Organizationreleased a press releaseon behalf of itself and the Henry family to further clarify the circumstances of her situation. "The Organization has covered all hospital, medical, and rehabilitation expenses in Thailand, as well as the accommodation and living costs for Dr. Henry's mother and sister, who have remained by her side throughout this difficult period," the statement read.Inprevious updates, the MUO, theMiss Universe Jamaica Organizationand Henry's sister disclosed that she was hospitalized in the intensive care unit for several days after the fall.
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February's update from the hospital came months after Henry last shared a messageon Dec. 19, explaining that more information would be shared at a later time. Next to photos of herself onInstagram, Henry wrote, "In a time that calls for stillness and healing, I am grateful to be in Jamaica and to feel the familiar strength of Jamaica surrounding me 💚🖤💛."
"While I continue to recover, I am inspired by the way Jamaicans rise, undeterred, after adversity. In time, more will be shared. For now, my focus remains healing, purpose, and service. Light persists. ✨️," she added later.
In a statement regarding her current condition at the time, legal representatives for Henry also told PEOPLE, "Gabrielle remains hospitalized in Jamaica. The incident has exacted a profound toll. An extraordinary woman and ophthalmology resident, she represented Jamaica and women around the world with energy, dignity, and grace. This should never have happened."
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