Miss USA : 2 Winners Resigned
The resignations of the current Miss USA and Miss Teen USA within a short timeframe have drawn attention to the parent organization of the pageants, especially since the young women cited mental health concerns and differences in values as their reasons. This came shortly after an employee of the Miss USA organization, which was established in 1952 and was once owned by Donald Trump, left due to “workplace toxicity,” alleging mistreatment of the titleholders.
Claudia Michelle, the social media director for Miss USA, resigned on May 3, detailing on Instagram that she had worked without compensation for two months, lacked proper staff support, and observed disrespectful management toward the winners. Michelle mentioned working closely with Miss USA Noelia Voigt, who resigned on Monday, highlighting a decline in Voigt’s mental health as a concern.
Regarding Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, aged 17, Michelle stated she had personally witnessed disrespect toward Uma and her family.
She reflected on her tenure as Miss USA, emphasizing the significance of her charity work and the honor of being the first Venezuelan American to hold the title. Voigt also expressed her desire to inspire others to prioritize mental health, advocate for themselves and others, and embrace the future without fear.
Internet sleuths have speculated about a potential coded message in Voigt’s statement, noting that the first letters of each sentence spell out “I AM SILENCED.”
As for Srivastava, a first-generation Mexican-Indian American from New Jersey, she announced her decision to relinquish her crown, stating that her personal values no longer fully aligned with the organization’s direction. In response, both the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organizations expressed respect for and support of Srivastava’s decision, affirming that the well-being of their titleholders remains a top priority.
The Miss USA pageant has faced several controversies and scandals in recent years, including allegations of preferential treatment toward certain contestants, as reported by various media outlets.
The organization later discovered those claims lacked evidence, leading to the resignation of the president of Miss USA, former titleholder Crystle Stewart.
Her husband, Max Sebrechts, who had been the organization’s vice president, departed amidst allegations of sexual harassment from former contestants.
Voigt’s resignation marked the first time a Miss USA titleholder had stepped down from the post since the competition began, excluding those who were crowned Miss Universe, a linked pageant.
Cheslie Kryst, crowned Miss USA in 2019, tragically died by suicide in early 2022.
In her posthumously published memoir, as excerpted by People magazine, she candidly discussed her “long-standing insecurities.”
