It was a surprise when UmaSofia Srivastava, named Miss Teen USA 2023 in September, quit her job just a few days after Noelia Voigt, who was Miss USA, did the same. Both choices have caused a lot of talk and questions in the pageant world.
Resignation Announcement
UmaSofia Srivastava showed her choice on Instagram on Wednesday, May 8th. She said her “personal values no longer fully align with the organization’s direction.” She thought about giving up her crown for a few months before deciding. She thanked her family, friends, and fans for always being there for her. She said it had been fun to serve her home state of New Jersey and win the national title, but she felt it was time to move on.
“There are no beautiful surfaces without a terrible depth,” said the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, which Srivastava used to imply that greater problems were going on behind the scenes. Even so, she stayed upbeat and talked about her excitement for the future, including continuing to fight for education and literacy.
Miss USA Noelia Voigt’s Resignation
A few days before, on May 6th, Miss USA Noelia Voigt quit because she was having problems with her mental health. Voigt told those who followed her to put their health first and not be afraid to make choices that feel right, even if they aren’t sure. When Voigt’s fans saw that the first letters of each line in her statement spelled out “I AM SILENCED,” they thought she had been told not to speak out.
Allegations of Workplace Toxicity
A few days before Voigt quit, Claudia Michelle, who was in charge of social media for Miss USA, also quit, saying she was worried about the toxic work environment. She said she had worked for two months without getting paid and seen Voigt’s mental health get worse while she was mistreating Srivastava and her family.
Michelle pointed out that both titleholders had to follow strict rules that made it hard for them to use social media to promote their causes. When Michelle made her claims, the Miss USA Organisation called them “false accusations” and reaffirmed their dedication to a safe and supportive atmosphere.
Past Controversies
The Miss USA Organisation has been in trouble in the past. Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019, sadly killed herself in 2022. This shows how much pressure pageant contestants are under. In the past few years, the organization has also been hit with claims of contest cheating and sexual abuse.
Support from Peers
After Voigt quit, her fellow contestants asked the organization to free her from the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) so she could talk about her experiences without any restrictions. Supporters of Srivastava said similar things, praising her for being brave enough to step down and push for change.
Looking Ahead
Even though she is giving up her crown, Srivastava plans to keep fighting for equality through her children’s book, “The White Jaguar,” which encourages acceptance and learning. Voigt is also still focused on stopping bullying and making immigration laws more fair.
Both resignations bring attention to the problems people in the pageant world face and show how important it is for the business to be open and support mental health. The Miss USA Organisation says it will review its rules and name new leaders soon, but many people still need clarification about where the pageants will go.
Grammarly Premium
