Former Miss Teen USA 2023 Umasofia Srivastava has revealed her decision to step down from the role and what she plans to do next.
“I’m looking forward to doing what I wanted to do with the title, which is to talk about philanthropy and uplift the voices of underrepresented groups, including my community, the Mexican Indian community, the LGBTQI community,” Srivastava said. said on “Good Morning America.” 2024 GLAAD Media Awards held on May 11th in New York City.
“I think it’s important to advocate for the power and acceptance of our voices, because at the end of the day, that’s what I thought pageantry was supposed to be, and I think it’s important to assert the power and acceptance of our voices. “It’s something I’ll continue to do year after year,” she said.
Last week, when Srivastava announced her decision to step down from her role as Miss Teen USA, she said, “My personal values are no longer fully aligned.”[ed] Follow your organization’s instructions. ”
Speaking to “GMA” on Saturday, Srivastava, who is currently finishing his senior year of high school, stood by his decision and said, “Ultimately, I think what I said in my statement is very true.” said.
Srivastava, who was Miss New Jersey Teen USA before winning the national title, also shared advice for other teens who may be interested in joining the pageant industry.
“I think you need to recognize the importance of your voice as a person, not your title,” she said. “I had a great year as Miss New Jersey Teen USA, meeting so many people, and ultimately it was those relationships that made it so great.” [not only] It supported me and gave me the confidence to continue advocating for education. [and] Through my book, The White Jaguar, I was accepted as me and no one else. ”
Shortly after Srivastava announced her resignation on May 8, the official Miss Teen USA account posted a photo of Srivastava from the night she won the title on Instagram, expressing support in the caption.
“Uma Sophia, we wish you the best of luck ❤️,” the caption read. “Thank you for your service as Miss Teen USA. 👑”
“We respect and support Uma Sophia’s decision to resign from her role,” the organization said in a statement. “The well-being of our titleholders is our top priority. We are currently evaluating a succession plan and will soon be crowning a new Miss Teen USA.”
Srivastava’s resignation announcement comes two days after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt announced her resignation on May 6, citing mental health reasons.
“In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that I feel are best for myself and my mental health,” Vogt wrote at the time in a lengthy statement, in which she acknowledged her “mistakes.” He spoke in detail about his favorite part of USA. Among them: “Working with Smile Train, being a passionate advocate for anti-bullying, dating violence awareness and prevention, immigrant rights and reform, and being the first Venezuelan-American to win Miss USA.” “Shedding light on my roots as a woman.”
In an eight-page resignation letter obtained by ABC News on Friday, Vogt alleged that the Miss USA organization fostered a toxic work environment that led to her decision to resign. Vogt named Leila Rose, president and CEO of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, in her resignation letter, noting that Rose was “generally unavailable.” ”, offered no assistance and claimed to have been “slandered.” [her]“When I was Miss USA.
“Our overarching goal at Miss USA is to celebrate and empower women,” Rose said in a statement to USA Today on May 8. “Our overarching goal at Miss USA is to celebrate and empower women. Making a real difference in the world has always been my personal goal.” The organization’s leaders have always inspired women to create new dreams, give them the courage to explore everything, and stay true to themselves along the way. I have similarly high standards and take these claims seriously. I want to assure you that the well-being of everyone involved with Miss USA is my top priority. ”
On May 9, Miss USA announced that Savannah Gankiewicz, the first runner-up of Miss Hawaii USA, will be the new Miss USA titleholder in 2023, following Vogt’s resignation.
The new Miss Teen USA 2023 has not yet been announced.
ABC News has reached out to the Miss USA organization for additional comment on the resignation.
ABC News’ Yi-Jin Yu contributed to this report.
