The mothers of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are voicing their concerns after their daughters resigned from their titles earlier in May. Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, and Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, have both stepped down.
Voigt cited mental health reasons, while Srivastava stated that her values no longer aligned with the Miss USA organization. Both mothers allege that their daughters’ dreams turned into nightmares due to toxic work environments, including emotional abuse and bullying.
Speaking on behalf of their daughters, the mothers appeared on “Good Morning America” and revealed that their daughters are not allowed to speak due to confidentiality clauses in their contracts.
Noelia Voigt resigned first on May 6, announcing her decision on social media.
The first letters of each sentence in the post spell out “I AM SILENCED.”
“There is a toxic work environment within the Miss USA organization that, at best, is poor management; at worst, is bullying and harassment,” Noelia said in a letter to the Miss USA organization. “I was made to feel unsafe at events without an effective handler, and this culminated in being sexually harassed.”
Voigt’s mother, Jackeline Voigt, told “Good Morning America” that Noelia “received unwanted advances at a Christmas party.” Allegedly, a man asked her if she was interested in older men with money, making Noelia uncomfortable. The Miss USA organization responded by stating it couldn’t prevent people from saying things during public appearances.
UmaSofia’s mother said that after Noelia resigned, her daughter knew she needed to do the same, as she had also experienced bullying by Miss USA management.
On May 8, Srivastava stated her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the Miss USA organization.”
The Miss USA organization announced it would seek replacements for both titles. However, last year’s Miss Teen USA runner-up, Stephanie Skinner, declined the opportunity to succeed the crown, citing her study abroad plans in Thailand this summer.
In a statement to ABC News, the Miss USA organization emphasized its commitment to fostering a healthy, communicative and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders and staff. Both mothers encouraged young women to reevaluate their participation in pageants and to speak out against mistreatment.
