After resigning from Miss Teen USA, runner-up no longer wants to be crowned

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by Janet Settembre

After Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava resigned last week, runner-up Miss Teen New York Stephanie Skinner also told the Post that she no longer wanted the crown.

“Ultimately, I decided to say no,” said Skinner, 19, of New Hartford, New York. “I didn’t think it was the right decision considering all the circumstances.”

In the past week, 17-year-old Srivastava and 24-year-old Miss USA Noelia Voigt have relinquished their titles, and Claudia Michel, social media manager for the Miss USA organization, has also resigned from her position. Sources told The Post that the women had been “bullied” by the organization’s CEO, Leila Rose.

Skinner, a rising junior majoring in economics at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, said she felt unable to accept the title of Miss Teen USA after the scandal came to light, and instead decided to “stand together and stand together. I intend to accept the title of Miss Teen USA.” women empowerment. My integrity and character will always come before my laurels. ”

Skinner, who has relied on scholarships throughout her school days, said it wasn’t easy to turn down the role.

“I’ve been working on this Runner-up doesn’t want the crown after Miss Teen USA resigns Since I was 12 years old. I missed birthdays, prom, and training for personal events in high school because of this. It’s really like a sport. You dedicate your entire life to this goal,” she told the Post.

“There is a prejudice that contests are only about glitz and glamour, but what is important to me is advocacy.I grew up in a single-parent household.I am a victim of domestic violence, “That’s why I founded the organization,” she told Hands of Hope, a national organization that reaches 20,000 teens with a message of self-acceptance.

Vogt resigned on May 6, citing the importance of “doing what’s best for your mental health,” while Srivastava, who resigned two days later, said his personal values ​​were ” It is no longer fully aligned with the direction of the organization.”

The struggling Miss USA organization is in such turmoil that it is at risk of losing its contract with the network that broadcasts the pageant.

“In light of last week’s events, The CW Network is evaluating its relationship with both contests,” a spokesperson for the network told The Post in an email Monday.

A person close to the situation told the Post that there was “division” within the organization over support for Vogt and Srivastava’s statements.

Miss Hawaii, 28-year-old Savannah Gankiewicz, will be crowned Miss USA on Wednesday.

“Please know that my decision to accept the Miss USA crown was not made lightly. I support Noelia and appreciate her strength in stepping down and prioritizing her mental health. ,” Gankiewicz said in a statement on Instagram.

However, fans expressed their disappointment.

One commenter said, “If you’re going to do something with this organization, good luck.” “We will know in a few days exactly why Noelia resigned.”

“The Sisterhood is officially abolished. We should do better as a collective,” said another.

Gankiewicz faced so much backlash that her mother, Yvien Peterson, took to Instagram to defend her.

“I raised a warrior and she can handle your hateful comments,” Peterson wrote in response to her daughter’s Instagram post.

“What they went through was not harmful,” she wrote, referring to Vogt. “Yes, unfortunately they may have had to fly Spirit Airlines. Yes, they may have been told by their boss that some of their positions were inappropriate.” [on] Brand…but what if it’s the worst… Perhaps they have forgotten their main role – to be role models for women. ”

Last week, a person close to the situation told the Post that Ms. Rose, the pageant’s CEO, secretly posted in the names of Mr. Srivastava and Mr. Vogt, saying, “Noelia and Uma Sophia have not posted on the Miss USA Instagram page.” It was banned,” he said.

The source added, “Noelia is waking up every day to harassing emails.” [from pageant organizers]: “Don’t do this,” “Don’t do that,” “Delete that post,” and that post. “You can’t tell anyone. Remember the non-disclosure agreement. You can’t go here unless we check,” a source close to the situation told the Post. “They are micromanaged and harassed to the 10th degree.”