In a surprising turn of events, both Miss USA, Noelia Voigt, and Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, announced their resignations from their titles within days of each other this week. This marks the first time in 72 years that the Miss Universe Organization is without its top two titleholders.
Voigt, who was crowned in September 2023, cited personal reasons for her decision to step down in an Instagram post on Monday. She expressed that resigning was a difficult choice but emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health and self-advocacy. The Miss USA Organization issued a statement expressing their support for Voigt's decision and their plans to crown a new Miss USA soon.
Srivastava, crowned Miss Teen USA last September, also announced her resignation via Instagram, stating that her personal values no longer align with the organization's direction. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent her state and her plans to focus on higher education and writing a children's book.
Both resignations have raised questions about the practices and transparency of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. Calls for more insight into the inner workings of the organizations have surfaced amidst the departures of the reigning titleholders. The Miss Universe Organization has not issued a statement regarding the resignations.
As the Miss Universe Organization navigates these unexpected vacancies, the pageant world awaits the announcement of new titleholders and potential changes within the organization. The resignations of Voigt and Srivastava have sparked discussions about the future of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants and the well-being of their participants.