- Miss USA Noelia Vogt and Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava resigned from their positions last week.
- Miss Teen USA runner-up Stephanie Skinner of New York declined to take over as queen.
- The organization has faced several resignations in recent weeks.
The first runner-up of Miss Teen USA will not take over as queen.
On Wednesday, Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava announced she would step down, just two days after Miss USA Noelia Vogt returned her crown.
The Miss USA organization announced Thursday that Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz, the first runner-up in the 2023 pageant, will take over as queen for the remainder of Vogt’s term.
But on Sunday, Miss Teen USA’s first runner-up, Stephanie Skinner, said she wouldn’t do the same in the teen pageant.
Representatives for Miss USA did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
Stephanie Skinner declines Miss Teen USA title
Skinner, who represented New York in the Miss Teen USA pageant, announced on Instagram that she has decided to decline the title of Miss Teen USA 2023.
Skinner said in a statement that he already had plans to participate in a summer research project in Thailand through his university, the University of Pennsylvania, and that he had no intention of taking the crown because of his values. Stated.
Skinner told Business Insider that her integrity and character were a big influence on her decision.
“This was a dream, but I’ve worked hard for this for years, and this meant more to me than a crown or a sash,” Skinner told BI. “I come from a non-traditional family background. I come from a single-parent family. I’m a victim of domestic violence. So this meant being a voice for other people. That was what made sense to me.”
“What I will never compromise on is my character and integrity,” she said. “Due to recent circumstances and the fact that I have committed to participate in the university’s global research program this summer, I have had to decline the role as it is best and reflects my morals. Because I felt like I was doing it.”
“I’ve always been an advocate for women’s empowerment and am a strong believer in letting your words speak to your actions,” Skinner also told BI. “So, for me, although it’s heartbreaking, I’ve always wanted to be Miss Teen USA, and I believe that that door and that chapter closed on that pageant finale night.”
He added: “I have to be relieved that out of respect for Uma and Noelia and the commitments I have made, I feel this is the right decision.”
Skinner told BI that she hopes to one day win a national pageant title, but it won’t be Miss Teen USA.
Srivastava and Vogt commented on Skinner’s Instagram post with messages of support.
“I am so grateful to call you my friend,” Srivastava wrote. “I am always in awe of your dedication and integrity.”
“Ever since I met you, I have loved and respected you,” Vogt wrote in a comment. “You continue to set a great example wherever you go. I’m so proud of you.”
In a conversation with BI, Skinner described Srivastava and Vogt as friends and said he was “proud of them for standing up for what they believe in.”
“I will always send them my love and support, and I really respect them for making the decision that they think is best for them,” she said.
Several people have resigned from the Miss USA position in recent days.
Miss USA has faced a rash of resignations in recent days after a tumultuous 2022 and 2023, including claims that the 2022 USA pageant was rigged in favor of Miss Universe R Bonnie Gabriel. It also includes suspicions.
When Voigt vacated the title on May 6 in an Instagram statement citing mental health reasons, she became the first Miss USA to voluntarily resign in the organization’s 72-year history.
Srivastava followed suit two days later, saying in a statement about his resignation on Instagram that his personal values were “completely no longer aligned with the direction of the organization.”
In addition to the titleholder’s resignation, Claudia Michelle also resigned as social media manager for Miss USA. She said on her Instagram on May 3 that she believes “Noelia and Uma’s mental health and well-being has taken a huge hit and we cannot remain silent about this.”
And on Friday, Miss Colorado Ariana Remus returned her title in support of Mr. Shrivastava and Mr. Vogt.
“I think so many women forget their power, and organizations like Miss USA remind women of how powerful they can be,” Lemus said in Business. He spoke to Insider’s Aneta Constantinides. “And that is my message today. I stand with my sister and the injustice in which she is silenced. So I speak my truth and be a voice for the voiceless. I resigned from my position as a symbol of solidarity.”
Upon Vogt’s resignation, Miss USA said in a statement to BI: “The titleholder’s well-being is our top priority and we understand that she needs to prioritize herself at this time.” .
The statement added, “The organization is currently considering a plan for the succession of responsibilities to a successor, and an announcement regarding the crowning of a new Miss USA will be made soon.”
And on Thursday, the organization said in an Instagram statement: “We are thrilled to announce that Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz is Miss USA 2023.”
Following Skinner’s decision not to take over as queen, the organization has not yet announced who will become Miss Teen USA.
