Omar Harfouch is a French-Lebanese pianist and composer whose Concerto for Peace premiered on September 18, 2024 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, played by the Béziers Méditerranée Symphony Orchestra under conductor Mathieu Bonnin. Two days later it reached the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, and on November 15, 2024 it filled the Sistine Hall of the Vatican Library. Dubai Opera hosted it in December 2024, joined by actor Orlando Bloom, and the Italian Parliament in Rome welcomed it on May 7, 2025. Honors poured in.
Kevin Costner presented him the Best Achievement for Peace Award at the Venice Film Festival, and LICRA gave him its Universalism Prize. The CAEL Awards honored his creation, and Pope Francis awarded him the Jubilee Medal. Women United for Peace recognized his work in March 2025, and in June 2025 the city of Béziers named him Compositeur honoris causa, a ceremony held alongside composer Vladimir Cosma. In September 2025 the original score of the Concerto joined the permanent archives of the Vatican Library, and Prince Emanuel Philibert of Savoy also awarded him an order that same month.
The road to that stage started at the piano. Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, he studied piano in the Soviet Union and trained in diplomacy there as well. In the 1990s he co-founded the Supernova communications group in Ukraine alongside his brother Walid, home to Radio Supernova and the magazine Paparazzi. He later co-founded the international television channel HDFashion and LifeStyle, and in 2023 he became owner of the French magazine Entrevue.
Omar Harfouch Returns to the MGI All Stars Jury
Big news from Bangkok! Omar Harfouch is back on the panel for the second edition of MGI All Stars, and the Grand Final is set for December 12, 2026. He announced it himself in a video and called it immense joy, which is easy to believe.
The first edition brought 56 candidates from 38 countries to MGI Hall at the Bravo BKK Mall, and the production was a feast of towering LED screens and star-studded pageant talent. Every candidate was a seasoned pageant veteran aged 20 to 40, and the winner's prize included a cash award between US$100,000 and US$1,000,000. A return invitation to a panel like that is a thrill anyone would celebrate.
A Thank You to Nawat Itsaragrisil
Gratitude comes first. Omar Harfouch thanked Nawat Itsaragrisil, the Thai personality at the helm of Miss Grand International, for his trust and faith in him. The warmth of that message is easy to see, and so is the respect between a judge and the leader of the team. Nawat's crew is famous for high-octane stage productions, so a second invitation says plenty about the first edition.
Last season his fellow judges included two former Miss Universe winners, Lupita Jones of Mexico and Natalie Glebova of Canada, as well as Miss Grand International 2022 Isabella Menin and pageant legend Osmel Sousa.
A Sweet Exchange Between Judge and Miss Laos at the 1 st Edition
Last May, during the first edition, Omar Harfouch gave some candidates scores of 1, and he owned up to it gracefully. Then came the swimsuit round, which turned into pure pageant candy. Miranda Aengmany of Laos walked toward the middle of the stage and added a tiny gesture that said plenty, a teasing "nah" aimed at the judge, almost asking him to spare her a repeat 1. The judging table loved it.
Omar Harfouch got up and gave an apologetic gesture, answering the joke in the same light spirit. He even applauded her onstage. It was gracious and human, and totally suited to a high-pressure pageant stage. The exchange gave MGI All Stars a rare mix of tension and laughter, humility and relief. A cheeky gesture and a kind reply turned a scoring story into a smile-worthy story that pageant lovers still enjoy.
Omar Harfouch Promises Extra Emotions
His promise for the second edition is generous. Omar Harfouch is bringing extra emotions and extra suspense to the Bangkok jury table, and he plans unforgettable memories for everybody watching the Grand Final.
He has already enjoyed one MGI All Stars final from the judge's seat, so he knows the fun that awaits. Bangkok in December promises glittering gowns and a roaring crowd on its feet, and a brand new champion will be crowned that night. Expect a panel member who is excited and ready to make this season a true celebration of pageantry.
Who Gets the Highest Score and Who Gets the Lowest?
The big question is delightfully simple: who earns his highest score, and who earns his lowest? He is teasing it himself, and curiosity is running high. In the first edition, scores were revealed openly as the night went along, so every candidate saw her result right away.
Jury scores made up 70 percent of each result, and public votes made up the other 30 percent, so every number he gives will be out in the open. Will a runway standout or a crowd favorite win his top score? Only the night will tell. Bangkok is about to find out what he thinks of this new group of stars, and December 12 is going to be a fun night.
