Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz reveals onslaught of bullying since winning crown after original winner’s shocking resignation

US News

by Catherine Donlevy

https://twitter.com/PageantsNEWS/status/1791768122833121528/video/1

Miss Hawaii has been battling intense online bullying in the week since accepting her Miss USA crown following the winner’s shocking resignation.

Savannah Gankiewicz, 28, said in a speech Friday while visiting wildfire victims in Lahaina that the backlash was “heartbreaking.”

“I don’t know if you’ve seen it on social media, but ever since I won this title, I’ve faced a lot of bullying and harassment,” the current pageant queen said, holding back tears.

“I didn’t want to cry, but I felt it was hard because I wanted people to see where my heart was coming from.”

Ms. Gankiewicz’s social media has been flooded with hateful comments accusing the original runner-up of being unworthy of the Miss USA title, and the most serious threat of injury for accepting the role. is also included.

The bullying also extended to Ms Gankiewicz’s mother’s online channel, with one person telling her: “I hope your daughter gets shot and dies.”

Rather than getting upset by the slander, Gankiewicz has taken the hate in stride, determined to rule with grace for the remaining five months of the year following the departure of inaugural champion Noelia Voit earlier this month.

“It’s not just about helping Lahaina, it’s about helping Maori people, it’s about having a platform, but it’s also about showing young women that you can get bullied, you can get hurt, and you can still stand up and keep going and keep using your voice,” Ms. Gankiewicz told the executives. Applause.

Gankiewicz accepted the Miss USA title last week, just days after Voight, a Utah native, gave up her title to prioritize her mental health.

The move marked the first time in the contest’s 72-year history that a titleholder had voluntarily relinquished the crown.

The shock resignation was made even more dramatic by the fact that it was followed by 17-year-old Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, with sources telling The Post that it was likely due to “bullying” by management.

“This toxic atmosphere is a serious concern,” an anonymous insider previously told the Post about the dual shakeup.

“Intervention at the leadership level is urgently needed.”

Gankiewicz, a model, entrepreneur and programs director for the nonprofit organization What Makes You Feel Beautiful, said at the time that the decision to accept the title was not one she “took lightly.”

“Noelia, it was the honor of a lifetime to share the stage with you during this incredible moment. I wish you the best of luck in your next chapter,” she said in a statement, adding that she vowed to use her “little bit of time” wisely as Miss USA to help rebuild her hometown of Lahaina, Maui.

The Miss USA organization has been embroiled in controversy for years, particularly in 2022 when contestants alleged cheating and received backlash.

In 2023, Max Sebrecht, the husband of ousted Miss USA president Krystle Stewart, was accused of sending “unwanted” sexual messages to contestants.