Jill Kuramoto and Nicole Napnoa
47 minutes ago
HONOLULU (KOHN) – Miss Hawaii from Maui was officially crowned Miss USA, and a celebratory coronation ceremony was held in Honolulu.
The Miss USA organization crowned Savannah Gankiewicz on Wednesday, days after previous titleholder Noelia Voigt returned the crown on May 6.
Vogt cited his “mental health” when announcing his vacating the title on his Instagram page. It was the first time a Miss USA title holder would relinquish her crown.
Originally named No. 1 in September, Gankiewicz stepped into the role with hopes of bringing a symbol of resilience and aloha spirit to the nation.
She said she was unprepared for the backlash she received after deciding to accept the title. But she is undaunted by her decision.
“I didn’t know that I would be bullied and harassed and constantly receive death threats and attacks on my character from people I don’t even know,” Gankiewicz told Nexstar’s KHON. “But I wanted people to know that I won this title because I feel like this is a responsibility and an opportunity to make positive change from within. It’s from within the organization, it’s not something that stands out.”
The Maui native will head to Los Angeles on Friday to meet with the Miss USA organization, then travel to Florida to finish her reign.
“[Gankiewicz’] Dedicated to empowering women through self-love and confidence,
It is inspiring and we look forward to her impactful reign as Miss USA,” said Leila Rose, president and CEO of the Miss USA Organization.
The newly crowned Miss USA will use her two-and-a-half month reign to promote her platform of self-love and confidence to young women.
