Insiders suggest that the recent resignations of Miss USA contestants are merely the beginning of a larger, underlying issue

 By M Muzamil Shami

      Noelia Voigt was crowned Miss USA in September 2023, but resigned earlier this week. Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava joined her in stepping down,                  roiling the pageant world and beyond. Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Throughout their tenure, beauty queens are prominently featured, attending significant events, championing important causes, and addressing public gatherings, all in an official capacity. However, in the wake of the surprising simultaneous resignations of Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, and Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, insiders are revealing a narrative of national titleholders conspicuously absent from their usual obligations, an organization in disarray, and key figures seemingly unable to voice their perspectives — and concerns.

The Miss USA organization, responsible for both pageants, is facing criticism over allegations of mismanagement, a hostile workplace culture, and circumstances that particularly contributed to Voigt’s resignation due to the toll on her mental health.

Srivastava, aged 16, who represented New Jersey at Miss Teen USA, took to Instagram to express that her personal beliefs no longer completely coincide with those of the organization. Meanwhile, Voigt, aged 24, who represented Utah at Miss USA, shared a lengthy and enigmatic post, mentioning concerns about her mental well-being. Interestingly, her post garnered widespread attention due to a perceived hidden message; the initial letters of the first 11 sentences spelled out "I am silenced." (Voigt has not since commented on this interpretation.)

"The Miss USA pageant expressed their respect and backing for Noelia's decision to resign from her duties, emphasizing the priority of their titleholders' well-being. They acknowledged her need to prioritize herself at this juncture. Despite CNN's request for additional input, the organization has not provided further commentary.

In solidarity with Noelia, several current state titleholders who competed alongside her, such as Miss North Carolina USA 2023 Jordyn Ashlee McKey, Miss Wisconsin USA 2023 Alexis Loomans, and Miss New York USA Rachelle di Stasio, took to social media to voice their support. They urged the organization to release Noelia from the confidentiality NDA clause in her contract indefinitely, granting her the freedom to openly discuss her experiences and tenure as Miss USA."

                                                Srivastava and Voigt at an event in New York in February. Their rep, Denise White, alleges that they are 

                                                unable to speak out about their experiences. Craig Barritt/Getty Images

Denise White, a public relations representative for both Srivastava and Voigt, as well as the 1994 Miss Oregon USA, claimed that both winners are bound by stringent non-disclosure agreements in their contracts.

So far, neither Voigt nor Srivastava has disclosed further details regarding their resignations publicly. However, Voigt outlined various concerns in a resignation letter submitted to the Miss USA organization and obtained by CNN. These concerns ranged from problematic management issues to more serious allegations. Voigt described a work environment she deemed "toxic," citing instances of what she characterized as poor management and potentially bullying and harassment. She accused Laylah Rose, the pageant’s CEO, of damaging her reputation both internally and externally by allegedly labeling her as "mentally ill" in conversations. Rose, an entrepreneur and CEO of the VIP Pageantry Network, assumed control of the brand in 2023.

Voigt claims that Rose's messages to her were "distant and needlessly confrontational," and she asserts never having been formally briefed on her duties. Despite the absence of clear communication regarding her responsibilities, she alleges being "repeatedly... warned of disciplinary measures, such as potential salary deductions," as outlined in the document.

       Voigt claims in a resignation later to Miss USA obtained by CNN that the Miss USA organization's CEO, Laylah Rose, is "actively building a culture of fear and         control." Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images

Voigt detailed multiple instances where the organization failed to arrange travel accommodations for her and neglected to provide the promised apartment and car. Additionally, she expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of a competent handler, citing an incident of alleged sexual harassment during a Christmas parade event in Sarasota, Florida.

In her letter, Voigt accused Rose of fostering a culture characterized by fear and control, which contradicts the principles of women's empowerment and poses a safety risk for future titleholders and employees. She also highlighted her contractual obligation to remain silent, preventing her from publicly addressing her grievances.

Things are unraveling

Voigt and Srivastava didn't resign together, as per White.

"In my observation, there's been harassment, a toxic atmosphere, and bullying," White conveyed during a CNN phone interview. "It's entirely counter to what a women's organization aiming to empower women and encourage vocal expression should be. It's the antithesis."

White further mentioned that both winners approached Miss Universe management, which oversees the Miss USA organization, for assistance but didn't receive any.

"Both young ladies consistently sought to address any issues discreetly backstage," she clarified. "The lack of response from the Miss Universe Organization regarding Noelia's resignation amounts to stonewalling... It's no surprise things are unraveling when there's such uncertainty about the next steps."

CNN's attempts to reach the Miss Universe Organization and Rose, via Miss USA, for comment went unanswered.

     Voigt and Srivastava posed with Miss USA pageant owner Laylah Rose (second from right) during a New York Fashion Week event in February. Chance Yeh

     /Getty Images

Thom Brodeur, the seasoned pageant coach for Voigt, has been guiding Miss USA contestants since 1991. He started working with Voigt during her Miss Utah preparations. He highlighted a troubling trend for the organization under Rose's leadership: "No woman has ever stepped down as Miss USA or Miss Teen USA, and she's lost both titles within 48 hours."

Even prior to Voigt and Srivastava's resignations, there were signs of unrest within the organization, as revealed by White, Brodeur, and Claudia Engelhardt, the former social media director for Miss USA who also recently stepped down. Engelhardt shared on Instagram that she had been working without compensation for two months after being hired. She also expressed concerns about Voigt's mental well-being, noting a perceived decline, and observed instances of disrespect toward Srivastava and her family members.

Engelhardt revealed that many members of the Miss USA organization have left, not just Rose and her. When she started in January, there were only five employees. Now, due to firings and resignations, only Rose and one other person remain. Several sources confirmed the frequent turnover.

Engelhardt emphasized the importance of having a complete team, stating, "This is not just a state or local pageant. It requires a full team."

       Voigt and Srivastava posed with Crystle Stewart, who previously led Miss USA, at a gala in New York on the heels of their double resignation. Rob Kim/Getty             Images

Engelhardt stated that she initially applied for a freelance position but was surprised to discover she was being brought on as staff without any formal contract, onboarding process, or guidance. According to her, she found herself solely responsible for managing the day-to-day social media tasks of the national brand, without any support. She also described instances where she felt Rose exerted excessive control over their social media accounts, such as blocking Instagram users based on personal disagreements, censoring comments, and posting as if she were one of the pageant winners.

White added that Rose allegedly impersonated the pageant winners on their official accounts. Prior to Voigt's resignation, she mentioned on her personal Instagram, which has since been deleted, that she no longer had access to her Miss USA pages.

A challenging journey ahead

Engelhardt recounted how she personally observed the toll the role took on Voigt, whom she considers both a friend and a former colleague. She described seeing Voigt become visibly stressed as the owner inundated her with emails, leading her to constantly live in a state of anxiety.

Despite facing daily pressures, Voigt claimed that she rarely made public appearances. She explained in her letter that, apart from a few press interviews in Los Angeles after her victory and subsequent ones in Utah, her home state and the one she represented at the Miss USA pageant, she had not made appearances outside of Sarasota, Florida, where she resided. Voigt attributed this to a "lack of communication," which she found perplexing.

Engelhardt expressed frustration at the situation, noting that Miss USA should have been actively engaged in numerous opportunities but instead found herself idle due to mismanagement.

       Savannah Gankiewicz, who as Miss Hawaii placed as first runner-up during the 2023 Miss USA pageant, will take over as Miss USA following Voigt's                         resignation. Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports/Reuters

The Miss USA pageant announced on May 9th that Savannah Gankiewicz, previously Miss Hawaii USA 2023 and the first runner-up in the 2023 Miss USA pageant, would be assuming the national title and its associated duties. Her official crowning is scheduled for May 15th.

Rose, in a statement, expressed pride in crowning Savannah as Miss USA 2023, highlighting her as a genuine embodiment of vision, intelligence, and compassion. Rose praised Savannah's commitment to empowering women through self-love and confidence, anticipating her impactful reign.

Gankiewicz, acknowledging Noelia’s decision to step down and emphasizing solidarity with mental health awareness, expressed full support and respect. She urged her fellow Miss USA sisters to unite for the organization's future and the upcoming class of 2024 and beyond.

Many have publicly expressed their support for the two pageant winners who resigned, including Shanna Moakler, who played a significant role in Voigt's victory as the state director for the Miss Utah USA pageant, as well as Cindy Provost and Debbie Miller, who oversaw Srivastava's win as state directors for the Miss New Jersey Teen USA pageant. Engelhardt and White are both hopeful that others will come forward to shed light on what they perceive as a restrictive culture and possible legal implications that are silencing the titleholders.

White stated, "They need someone else to advocate for them."