Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava have resigned from their positions, sparking speculation about their treatment and the management of the pageants under the Miss Universe Organization. Voigt cited mental health reasons for her departure, while Srivastava pointed to a misalignment of values with the organization. Both are under non-disclosure agreements, limiting their ability to speak freely.
Their resignations were followed by statements from the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, expressing support for their decisions and emphasizing the importance of the well-being of their titleholders. However, accusations have surfaced about mistreatment and bullying within the organization, with Voigt's mother and Srivastava's mother claiming their daughters faced systemic abuse and unwanted sexual advances.
The resignations have highlighted potential issues within the broader pageant culture, a sector that has attempted to rebrand itself as more than just beauty contests but continues to face criticism. This incident has once again brought attention to the ongoing debates surrounding the relevance and treatment of participants in beauty pageants.
Both Voigt and Srivastava expressed gratitude to their supporters and reiterated the importance of mental health and personal values in their resignation statements. The Miss USA Organization has yet to make a comprehensive public response to the specific allegations of mistreatment.