Amid the glitz and glamor of pageantry, reigning queens are typically seen as symbols of grace and advocacy, their crowns signifying a year-long commitment to representing their titles with poise and purpose. However, the recent back-to-back resignations of Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava have thrown the Miss USA organization into a maelstrom of controversy, shedding light on a purportedly dysfunctional environment and a culture of silence.
Voigt, 24, representing Utah, and Srivastava, 16, representing New Jersey, departed from their roles citing personal reasons, yet behind their statements lies a narrative of discontent and disarray within the organization. Voigt’s resignation, ostensibly due to mental health concerns, hinted at deeper issues with her post spelling out “I am silenced” in its initial letters, suggesting a hidden message.
The Miss USA organization responded to Voigt’s departure with a statement emphasizing her well-being and the importance of self-prioritization. However, the organization’s silence on further inquiries raises questions about the extent of their awareness and accountability.
Voigt’s resignation letter, obtained by CNN, detailed a litany of grievances, ranging from managerial incompetence to allegations of bullying and harassment by the organization’s CEO, Laylah Rose. Voigt described a toxic work environment and a lack of support, including instances of neglect regarding travel arrangements and prize package entitlements.
Denise White, a PR representative for both Voigt and Srivastava, revealed that the contestants were bound by stringent non-disclosure agreements, preventing them from publicly elaborating on their reasons for resignation. Efforts to seek redress from the Miss Universe organization, which oversees Miss USA, proved fruitless, leaving the former titleholders unsupported in their struggles.
Thom Brodeur, Voigt’s pageant coach, lamented the unprecedented loss of both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA within a short span, signaling a crisis within the organization. Claudia Engelhardt, the former social media director for Miss USA, echoed these sentiments, citing a pervasive atmosphere of disrespect and mismanagement.
Engelhardt’s account shed light on the turmoil within the organization, revealing a dwindling team size and a lack of infrastructure to support its operations effectively. She described an absence of contracts, onboarding processes, and guidance, painting a picture of chaos and neglect.
Voigt’s ordeal, as described by Engelhardt, paints a stark contrast to the glamorous image associated with pageantry. Despite her title, Voigt allegedly had minimal public engagements, her potential squandered due to organizational mismanagement.
In a bid to restore stability, the Miss USA pageant announced Savannah Gankiewicz, the first runner-up to Voigt, as the new Miss USA 2023. Gankiewicz expressed her commitment to mental health awareness and unity within the pageant community, aiming to steer the organization towards a brighter future.
While public figures, including former pageant directors, have rallied behind the resigned titleholders, Engelhardt and White advocate for greater transparency and accountability within the organization. They urge others to speak out against what they perceive as a stifling culture, hoping to initiate positive change and uphold the integrity of pageantry.
