Once again, chaos has engulfed the Miss USA pageant.
This week marked a significant moment in the 72-year history of the pageant as it witnessed the unprecedented resignation of both the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders.
Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava has stepped down from her position, following the recent resignation of Miss USA Noelia Voigt.
In an Instagram statement, Srivastava announced her resignation, citing a misalignment of her personal values with the organization’s current direction.
Srivastava expressed that she had been contemplating this decision for months and intends to persist in her unwavering support for education and acceptance.
“I’m excited for the remaining months of the year as I wrap up my 11th-grade journey as a member of the National Honor Society and kickstart the college application process,” she expressed. “I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has stood by me, valuing me for who I truly am and not just the temporary persona I may have portrayed.”
Voigt expressed her love and pride for the person in the post, commenting, “I love you! So proud of you my angel.”
In a surprising move, Voigt made waves within the pageant community by stepping down as Miss USA on Monday. In her resignation statement, she emphasized the significance of prioritizing personal well-being and mental health when making life decisions.
In her statement, she expressed her belief that this is only the start of a new chapter in her life. She hopes to continue inspiring others to prioritize their mental health, advocate for themselves and others, and use their voices. She encourages everyone to embrace the future, even when it seems uncertain.
In a statement on Wednesday, Laylah Rose, CEO and president of Miss USA, expressed the organization’s overarching objective of celebrating and empowering women.
Rose, the head of the organization, has always aimed to motivate women to pursue new dreams, embrace courage, and maintain integrity. She personally adheres to these principles and takes the allegations seriously, prioritizing the well-being of everyone involved with Miss USA.
Miss USA is a renowned beauty pageant that showcases the talent, intelligence, and beauty of young women from all across the United States. It is a prestigious event that has been held annually since its inception in 1952. The competition aims to find a representative who will serve as an ambassador for the country and promote various causes and initiatives. The winner of Miss USA goes on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, where she has the opportunity to represent the United States on a global stage.
The organization informed BI on Monday that they are currently reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities, as they have not yet named a successor to Voigt.
Srivastava and Voigt stepped down from their positions shortly after Claudia Michelle, the social media director for the Miss USA organization, also resigned. Claudia Michelle cited the organization’s treatment of the titleholders as one of the factors that led to her decision to quit.
“I don’t believe in taking sides. My belief is rooted in telling the truth,” Michelle expressed on Instagram. “The mental health and happiness of Noelia and Uma have been adversely affected, and I cannot stay silent about it.”
In her statement, she emphasized her unwavering commitment to a brand that uplifts and empowers women. She firmly believes that the titleholders are the essence of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, emphasizing that without them, these pageants would not exist. She strongly advocates for the voices and stories of these women to be heard and not suppressed.
Both Srivastava and Voigt achieved remarkable milestones in their pageant careers. Srivastava made history by becoming the first Mexican Indian contestant to win Miss New Jersey Teen USA, while Voigt became the trailblazing Venezuelan American woman to ever capture the Miss USA crown.
In 2022, the contestants of Miss USA alleged that the pageant was rigged in favor of Miss Texas, R’Bonney Gabriel, who eventually won the Miss Universe title in January 2023.
During the unfolding scandal, it came to light that Max Sebrechts had discreetly resigned from his position as the vice president of Miss USA after facing allegations of sexual harassment towards contestants during the 2021 pageant. In a statement provided to BI, Sebrechts refuted the accusations.
Crystle Stewart, who had been serving as the president of Miss USA, decided to step down from her position in August. As a result, she was succeeded by Rose.
Requests for comment were made to Srivastava, Voigt, and representatives for the Miss Universe organization, but they have not yet responded.
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