Miss USA has filled the void left by Noelia Voigt with the 2023 Miss USA pageant runner-up, Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, but it appears the Miss USA organization’s troubles are far from over.
In a historic move earlier this month, both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders resigned. Miss Teen USA has not announced a replacement for Umasofia Srivastava.
On May 15, mothers Jackelyn Vogt and Barbara Srivastava claimed on “Good Morning America” that the Miss USA organization was abusing their daughters. “Their dream job became a nightmare,” Srivastava said, adding: “They were mistreated, mistreated, bullied and cornered.”
Mothers call for Miss USA CEO and president Leila Rose to resign, warn her to ‘really pay attention’ to what happened to her daughter and stay away from pageant did.
Both pageants, which fall under the Miss Universe organization, were held in September 2023. It was the first pageant Rose has hosted since Miss USA 2008 Krystle Stewart resigned from her post a month ago, about a year ago after she faced allegations of cheating. 2022 America Tournament.
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They were also the first contests held under the ownership of JKN Global Group. The Thai company acquired Miss Universe from New York-based IMG Worldwide LLC in October 2022.
Here’s everything we know about the shocking Miss USA resignation and what’s next for the embattled Miss USA.
How did Miss USA’s departure begin?
Claudia Engelhardt said that in late April, the Miss USA organization fired two of her colleagues who were assistant national directors.
As a result, Engelhardt told USA TODAY she made the “very difficult decision” to leave what she called her “dream job” as the organization’s social media director. On May 3, she released a lengthy statement on Instagram, accusing the titleholder of speaking in an “unprofessional and inappropriate” manner and engaging in “toxic workplace behavior and bullying.” ‘ was publicly criticized.
“I was looked down upon for my job,” Engelhardt told USA TODAY. “And I saw how they were treating the title holders and I was like, Enough is enough.”
Three days later, Vogt made the bombshell announcement that he was resigning.
Miss USA vs. Miss America:Everything you need to know about the contest
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA 2023 titleholder
Eight months after being crowned Miss USA, Vogt announced in an Instagram post on May 6 that she was giving up the pageant title in order to protect her mental health.
“I never could have imagined the journey my childhood dream would take me on,” Vogt said in a lengthy statement. “Consistent hard work and dedication have brought me to where I am today. No matter what, the last seven years of competing in contests and sharing my journey with you all have brought me to where I am today. I hope it inspires you to never give up on your dreams.”Maybe so. ”
Vogt acknowledged that his resignation may come as a “huge shock to many people” but reminded readers: “We must never sacrifice our physical and mental health. Our health is our It’s an asset,” he advised.
Please see here for the detail:Miss USA Noelia Voigt makes the “difficult decision” to resign. Read her full statement.
Noelia Vogt suggests she was ‘silenced’ by Miss USA organization
Vogt’s resignation sparked a storm of speculation online after fans noted the strangeness of her comments.
In the comments of Vogt’s Instagram post and elsewhere on social media, users noted that taking the first letter of each sentence of her statement reveals the phrase “I am silent.” Noticed. However, this ignores the last three sentences, the first letter of which is spelled “”. Hips. ” It is unclear at this time whether this message was intentional.
Denise White, who has worked with Vogt and former Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava since she stepped down, told USA TODAY that the former title holders have maintained “iron-clad and permanent” secrecy. He acknowledged that he was bound by a retention agreement.
Please see here for the detail:Did Miss USA Noelia Vogt’s resignation announcement contain a hidden message?
In an interview with USA TODAY, Miss USA 2023 contestant Alexis Lumans said that the contract finalizing the contestant’s participation in Miss USA 2023 was sent out at short notice (with a submission deadline of about four hours), so the contract was not finalized. He claimed that it has become difficult to seek legal advice to review the matter. Long-term contract terms.
“I think that was part of their plan because they knew how horrible the contract was,” Loomans said. “But none of us questioned it. We were all so excited to get on that stage that it actually happened. But it wasn’t until Noelia or They trapped people who could have won.”
USA TODAY has reached out to the Miss USA organization for comment.
Deep dive:A reminder of the controversial history of beauty pageants
Umasofia Srivastava resigns as Miss Teen USA 2023 title holder
Just two days after Vogt’s resignation was made public, Srivastava issued a lengthy statement on May 8 announcing his resignation because his “personal values were no longer fully aligned with the direction of the organization.” Announced.
“I would like to thank my family, the Secretary of State, my sister Queen, and all the fans for all the support that has cheered me on since I won the state title,” Srivastava wrote. “I always look back fondly on my days as Miss New Jersey Teen USA.As a first-generation Mexican-Indian American, the experience of representing my state at the national level was fulfilling in itself. did.”
Please see here for the detail:Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava resigns
Miss USA 2023 contestants support Noelia Vogt, call for ‘full transparency’ in pageant
In a joint statement shared on social media on May 8, dozens of Miss USA 2023 contestants expressed solidarity with Vogt.
“Prioritizing her mental health is paramount and we stand with her,” the statement read. “We urge the Miss USA Organization to permanently release Noelia from the NDA confidentiality clause in her contract and allow her to speak freely about her experience and her time as Miss USA. I’m looking for it.”
In an interview with USA TODAY, Miss USA 2023 contestants Alexis Lumans and Rachelle Di Stasio accused Vogt of not being able to fully reveal her experience at Miss USA.
“The biggest part of Miss USA is using your voice,” Di Stasio said. “It’s your most powerful weapon, and the fact that it’s being taken away… goes against everything I believe Miss USA represents.”
Please see here for the detail:Miss USA contestants demand ‘full transparency’ from pageant after Noelia Vogt steps down
Noelia Vogt calls Miss USA organization a ‘toxic work environment’
Days after Ms. Vogt relinquished her crown, NBC News and the New York Times obtained a copy of her resignation letter, which was shared with the Miss USA organization.
“There is a toxic work environment within the Miss USA organization, with poor management at best and bullying and harassment at worst,” Vogt wrote, according to the outlet.
In his resignation letter, Vogt said Miss USA CEO and President Leila Rose has consistently failed to communicate with her and even when she has, she has been “cold and unnecessarily aggressive.” There were a lot of them.”
She also said she has been diagnosed with anxiety and prescribed medication for it, and is dealing with “heart palpitations, whole body tremors, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, lack of sleep, hair loss, etc.” According to NBC, she attributed these symptoms to “Layla (Rose) showing up out of the blue and worrying that she’s going to harass me every day.”
Here’s what the mothers of Miss USA and Teen USA say.Vogt and Srivastava were “abused, bullied and cornered”
Former Miss USA staffer says organization caused decline in winners’ mental health
Englehart, a former social media director, blamed Vogt and Srivastava’s departure on the Miss USA organization’s new owners.
“This resignation of Noelia and Uma is a direct response to the current ownership and current management of the Miss USA brand,” she told USA TODAY. “They are the cause of Noelia and Uma’s deteriorating mental state, and it is documented that they knew it and did nothing about it.”
She made several allegations about how the organization’s owner, Leila Rose, allegedly bullied Vogt during his reign.
“The owner (Rose) was constantly using as a weapon the contract that Noelia signed. It’s probably the most airtight, awful, binding contract I’ve ever seen,” Engelhardt said. . “When Noelia did something she didn’t like, she would copy and paste every little clause and say, ‘According to the contract, if you don’t fix what I didn’t tell you, we’ll do it.’ Your wages will be garnished. ”
She added, “I don’t know about you, but the definition of a toxic workplace is having to live with that all the time.”
read more:Accusations against the pageant organization by former Miss USA staff
Miss Teen USA runner-up Miss NY Teen declines
On May 11, four days after Srivastava relinquished her crown, the first runner-up in the 2023 Miss Teen USA pageant revealed that she had turned down an invitation to replace Srivastava. I made it.
Miss New York Teen USA Stephanie Skinner said in an Instagram post: “In light of recent events, I have decided to decline the title of Miss Teen USA 2023. This was not an easy decision to make. There was no, and I ask that you respect this choice.” It was a decision I never asked for. I don’t know exactly what led to Noelia and Uma’s resignation, but I send them immense love and support. ”
read more:Miss Teen USA runner-up withdraws after Umasofia Srivastava resigns
The CW said the network is “evaluating” its relationship with Miss USA
With the Miss USA organization embroiled in allegations, The CW Network announced on May 13 that it was “evaluating its relationship with both pageants.”
The CW’s head of programming Brad Schwartz told USA TODAY that the network is “very concerned” by the allegations.
“Naturally, we do not condone bullying in any form. We take bullying very seriously and are gathering information. We do not want to act rashly or inappropriately. ” he said. “We want to support women, but obviously there are a lot of questions about the organization.”
Will there be a Miss America in 2024?
The 42nd Miss Teen USA Pageant is scheduled for August 1st and the 73rd Miss USA Pageant is scheduled for August 4th.
What does the Miss USA organization say?
In a statement shared with USA TODAY on May 8 following Srivastava’s resignation, Miss USA CEO and President Leila Rose said, “Our overarching goal at Miss USA is to celebrate women, , and empowering women. Our participants will make a real difference in this country.” And around the world. ”
Rose’s statement continued: “My personal goal as head of this organization has always been to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore everything, and maintain integrity along the way.” I keep these things to myself.” We have the same high standards and I take these allegations seriously. Rest assured that the well-being of everyone involved with Miss USA is my top priority. ”
Regarding Vogt’s resignation, the organization previously said in a statement: “We respect and support former Miss USA Noelia Vogt’s decision to step down from her duties. The titleholder’s well-being is paramount and her needs are paramount. I understand sexuality.” Because I prioritize myself at this moment. ”
Contributors: Erin Jensen, Gary Levin, Taijuan Moorman, Brendan Morrow, Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY
