Miss USA contestants are calling for transparency from the organization after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt announces she is relinquishing her title due to mental health issues.
Dozens of contestants showed solidarity by posting a joint statement on their social media accounts. “The majority of the members of the Miss USA Class of 2023 support Noelia Vogt’s decision to step down from her title of Miss USA. Prioritizing her mental health is of the utmost importance. Yes, we support her.”
The statement continued: “We are asking the Miss USA Organization to permanently release Noelia from the NDA confidentiality clause in her contract and allow her to speak freely about her experiences and time as Miss USA. We are looking for a response within 24 hours.” .
“Our goal is to restore Noelia’s voice. We demand full transparency from contestants in 2024 and beyond.”
USA TODAY has reached out to the Miss USA organization for comment.
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The message came hours after Miss Teen USA 2023 Umasofia Srivastava also announced her resignation, citing the fact that her “personal values are no longer fully aligned with the direction of the organization.”
In response, Miss USA CEO and President Leila Rose said in a statement published Wednesday in USA TODAY, “My personal goal as head of this organization is to continue to inspire women in new ways. It was about giving them the courage to create and explore their dreams.” I embrace it all and remain honest in the process. And I take these allegations seriously. ”
The statement continued: “Please be assured that the health of everyone associated with Miss USA is my top priority.”
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Miss USA 2023 contestants call for change within the Miss USA organization
After Vogt’s post, social media users noticed that the first letters of each sentence in her statement revealed the phrase “I remain silent.”
Alexis Lumans (Miss Wisconsin USA) – Runners-up for the Miss USA title – Caroline Dixon (Miss Florida USA), Rachelle Di Stasio (Miss New York USA), Mackenzie Shutt (Miss Ohio USA); Jordyn McKee (Miss North Carolina USA), Moni Nyaribo (Miss North Dakota USA) and Madison Rigg (Miss Montana USA) were among those who showed their support by posting the image on social media. I’m alone.
Dixon reposted the statement on her Instagram Story, writing, “Everyone deserves a chance to speak.”
McKee wrote a long caption next to her statement, which she shared on both her personal and official account @missncusa.
“I support her! As someone who has struggled with her own mental health, I commend Noelia for prioritizing herself and setting a beautiful example that health comes first. “I am deeply saddened by the lack of transparency at Miss USA,” McKee wrote. “I am organizing and praying that we see change soon.”
“We recently lost a Miss USA who was holding the same state in her heart as I am right now. And I want you to use your voice to feel able/to feel safe to do so.” I take making allegations very seriously. The most important thing for me is to keep myself open and honest because it could save others in the process.” she continued. “We cannot silence the women who have experienced what our next class of Miss USA contestants are going through. We need to address this issue.”
In 2022, Miss USA 2019 winner Chesley Christ, former Miss North Carolina USA, passed away by suicide at the age of 30.
McKee’s message concludes as follows: “I am so proud to be a woman in the pageant world and pray that one day my ethics and beliefs will once again align with the organization and the origins of why I started competing in the first place.” ” I support transparency and want to hear her story, it could save lives. ”
Rigg captioned the same graphic with a message that reads, in part: “Today, we are a little scared and very emotional, but we are realizing our system’s ability to be the change agents it has always claimed to be. We stand together, knowing full well that there is.” @missusa @missuniverse The decision is in your hands. ”
In a statement shared with USA TODAY earlier this week following Vogt’s resignation, the organization said it “respects and supports former Miss USA Noelia Vogt’s decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of the titleholder is… That’s a top priority, and we understand that she needs to prioritize herself at this time.”
The statement continued: “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.”
