Miss Teen USA resigns just days after Miss USA

Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava has resigned days after Miss USA Noelia Voigt relinquished her crown.

In an Instagram post, Srivastava wrote that she was relinquishing her title just two days after Voight resigned for similar reasons. The two posted nearly identical announcements on Instagram, with Srivastava writing that she feels her “personal values ​​no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”

“After months of struggling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023,” she wrote.

“I am grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title.”

She added, “I will always look back fondly on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA, and the experience of representing my state as the first generation of Mexican-Americans and Indian-Americans on the national level was rewarding in itself.”

“After careful consideration, I have decided to resign because I realize that my personal values ​​no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,” she continued. “However, I will continue my relentless advocacy for education and acceptance, with my multilingual children's book 'The White Jaguar' and with the organizations I have had the privilege of working with long before I began compete…”

She said she plans to enjoy the end of her 11th grade year, looking forward to beginning the college application process and continuing to be a part of the National Honor Society. She added that she has a whole “new writing project” due out later this year.

While writing that this was “definitely not how I saw my reign ending,” she concluded her message by thanking her supporters who helped her along her path to victory. She added: “At the end of the day, I'm so lucky to have had the privilege of having this experience, but if this is just one chapter, I know my life story will be truly incredible .”

Voigt notably commented under the former Miss Teen USA's post, saying: “I LOVE YOU! So proud of you my angel.

On May 8, the Miss Teen USA account posted a photo of a victorious Srivastava the night she received her title, writing in the caption: “UmaSofia, we wish you all the best. Thank you for your service as Miss Teen USA.

“We respect and support UmaSofia’s decision to step down from office,” the organization added. “The well-being of our title holders is a top priority. We are currently reviewing plans to transition responsibilities to a successor and will soon announce the crowning of the new Miss Teen USA.

According to the organization, Srivastava made history in 2023 when she was crowned the first Mexican-Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA.

The high school student was an accomplished winner, having both written and illustrated her own children's book. At her high school, she was an active member of her Mock Trial and Model United Nations team and co-founded a diversity and inclusion campaign.

The announcement of the young pageant winner follows the resignation of Voight – the former Miss USA 2023 – due to mental health issues. In his own post, Voigt wrote: “I realize that this may come as a great shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.

Voight thanked his supporters and expressed his gratitude to Srivastava.