Teen and Miss USA give up their crowns, citing their mental health and personal values

By ALEXA ST. JOHN Associated Press
The reigning winners of Miss USA, Noelia Voigt, and Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, resigned their titles within days of each other this week, a shock to the Miss Universe organization.
The resignations leave the long-running pageant group without its top two titleholders for the first time in 72 years, putting a spotlight on its practices. The resignations have sparked calls for more transparency within Miss USA and its parent organization, both of which have faced controversy and scrutiny in the past.
Voigt, crowned in September 2023, was the first Venezuelan American to win her title.
The title was a “childhood dream” and stepping down was a “very difficult decision,” the former Miss Utah and University of Alabama student said in an Instagram post Monday.
“I hope I continue to inspire others to stand strong, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others using your voice,” the 24-year-old wrote.
Alongside the statement, Voigt added a caption that read: “I realize this may come as a great shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being. She then thanked fans for their “unwavering support.”
In its own statement, the Miss USA Organization thanked Voigt for her service and wished her “the best in this next chapter.”
“We respect and support Noélia’s decision to step down from her role. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand that she must prioritize herself at this time,” the statement read. “We are currently reviewing plans to transfer responsibilities to a successor, and we will soon announce the crowning of the new Miss USA.”
Srivastava, who was also crowned last September, announced her resignation in her own Instagram post on Wednesday.
“I find that my personal values ​​no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,” the former Miss New Jersey Teen USA wrote.
The 17-year-old thanked her family and fans, said she was happy to represent her state as a first-generation Mexican American, and noted she looked forward to applying to colleges and working on his multilingual children's book.
A caption accompanying the statement said “this was certainly not how I saw my reign ending” but called the experience a privilege.
A spokesperson for Miss Teen USA could not be reached for comment on Srivastava's announcement. The Miss Universe Organization, which runs the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, could not be reached for comment.
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Associated Press writer Mark Kennedy contributed to this report.
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Alexa St. John is a climate solutions reporter for the Associated Press. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn. Contact her at [email protected].