Miss Teen USA 2023 is resigning simply days after Miss USA Noelia Voigt.
UmaSofia Srivastava, who took house the 2023 title in September, shared a prolonged assertion Wednesday asserting her departure as a result of her “private values not totally align with the path of the group.”
“After months of grappling with the choice, I’ve made the selection to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023. I’m grateful for all of the help from my household, my state administrators, my sister queens, and the followers who’ve cheered me on since I received my state title,” Srivastava wrote. “I’ll at all times look again on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the expertise of representing my state as a primary technology, Mexican-Indian American on the nationwide stage was fulfilling in itself.”
In an announcement shared with USA TODAY on Wednesday, Miss USA CEO and President Laylah Rose mentioned, “Our all-encompassing aim at Miss USA is to have fun and empower ladies. Our contributors make an actual distinction on this nation and across the globe.”
Rose’s assertion continued, “All alongside, my private aim as the pinnacle of this group has been to encourage ladies to at all times create new desires, have the braveness to discover all of it, and proceed to protect integrity alongside the best way. I maintain myself to those identical excessive requirements and I take these allegations significantly. Please be assured that the well-being of all people related to Miss USA is my prime precedence.”
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In her resignation assertion, Srivastava vowed to proceed her philanthropy with The Lotus Pedal Basis and the Bridge of Books Basis as she completes her junior 12 months of highschool.
“Whereas this was actually not how I noticed my reign coming to a detailed, I’m excited to proceed my advocacy for training and acceptance, begin making use of to schools, and share some thrilling new tasks on That’s Fan Habits with these of you who plan to stay round,” she captioned the submit, referring to her weblog.
Srivastava added: “On the finish of the day, I’m so fortunate to have had the privilege of this expertise, but when that is only a chapter, I do know that the story of my life will actually be unimaginable.”
“I LOVE YOU! So happy with you my angel,” former Miss USA Voigt commented.
Miss USA Noelia Voigtmakes ‘powerful resolution’ to step down. Learn her full assertion.
Miss USA Noelia Voigt resigned for her ‘psychological well being,’ resulting in fan theories
On Monday, Voigt, who was awarded Miss USA in September 2023, introduced her resignation in an announcement on Instagram. The previous title holder wrote, “In life, I strongly worth the significance of creating selections that really feel finest for you and your psychological well being.”
Her resolution to relinquish her Miss USA crown has sparked a flurry of on-line hypothesis after followers observed an odd element about her assertion.
Within the feedback of her submit and elsewhere on social media, customers pieced the primary letter in every sentence of her assertion to disclose the phrase “I AM SILENCED” — although this reductions the final three sentences, the primary letters of which spell “HIP.” It was not instantly clear whether or not the message was intentional.
Miss USA shifts:Did Noelia Voigt’s resignation assertion comprise a hidden message?
Miss USA beforehand mentioned in an announcement to USA TODAY, “We respect and help former Miss USA Noelia Voigt’s resolution to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a prime precedence, and we perceive her must prioritize herself presently.”
The assertion added, “The group is at present reviewing plans for the transition of obligations to a successor and an announcement relating to the crowning of the brand new Miss USA might be coming quickly.”
Previous to Voigt’s announcement, Miss USA social media director Claudia Michelle shared on Instagram Friday that she has resigned from her function. In an announcement posted to social media, she wrote, “I’ve had the privilege of attending to work with Noelia carefully and have sadly seen a decline in her psychological well being since we (first) met. I really feel like her means to share her story and her platform have been diminished.”
“I really feel the best way present administration speaks about their titleholders is unprofessional and inappropriate,” she went on to write down. “I disavow office toxicity and bullying of any form.”
In an Instagram story, Michelle shared Voigt’s assertion and highlighted the “I AM SILENCED” letters.
Miss USA Group denies accusations of poisonous atmosphere
In response to Michelle’s submit, the Miss USA Group mentioned in an announcement to USA TODAY, “We’re troubled to listen to the false accusations made by a former Miss USA worker. Miss USA is dedicated to fostering a protected, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere, and we take these allegations significantly. Certainly, we have now and can proceed to prioritize the well-being of all people concerned with Miss USA.”
Within the caption of her unique Instagram submit, Voigt acknowledged that her resignation “could come as a big shock to many,” however added, “By no means compromise your bodily and psychological well-being.”
Contributing: Brendan Morrow and Erin Jensen, USA TODAY