The magnificence pageant world has its justifiable share of drama, however the sudden resignation of each Miss USA and Miss Teen USA has left followers and web sleuths speculating about bullying, non-disclosure agreements and perhaps even a hidden message.
Noelia Voigt, who was topped Miss USA in 2023, on Monday introduced that she can be resigning her title with a purpose to defend her psychological well being. The prolonged assertion alone was sufficient to shock pageant followers, however intrigue grew when eagle-eyed admirers observed what they stated is a secret message in Voigt’s assertion: “I am silenced.”
The sneaky alleged communication seems to be an acrostic, with the primary letter of each sentence spelling out the key message — that’s, till the ultimate three sentences, which start with the letters H, I and P.
“Deep down I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me, and my hope is that I continue to inspire others to remain steadfast, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain,” Voigt wrote.
“Never compromise your physical and mental well-being. Our health is our wealth.”
Voigt, a 24-year-old Venezuelan American from Utah, held the Miss USA title for seven months. She additionally represented the U.S. on the Miss Universe pageant. She has neither confirmed or denied the acrostic.
Only two days after Voigt’s resignation, UmaSofia Srivastava, who was named Miss Teen USA in November 2023, handed in her crown as properly.
In an announcement, Srivastava, 17, stated she was resigning as a result of “my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”
UmaSofia Srivastava’s assertion of resignation as Miss Teen USA.
Instagram @umasofias
She didn’t elaborate additional.
“I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself,” Srivastava wrote.
On Thursday, Voigt informed People journal she didn’t know Srivastava was additionally planning to step down.
The twin resignations triggered a wave of still-growing intrigue on social media. Beauty pageant followers and curious netizens alike have speculated Miss USA and Miss Teen USA could have stepped down over alleged bullying and a poisonous office. Others surmised Voigt could have created the key message as a result of she is underneath a non-disclosure settlement (NDA) and isn’t permitted to talk publicly.
As hypothesis and conspiracy snowballed on-line, a number of former Miss USA winners launched a joint assertion in help of Voigt. The assertion maintained that Voigt is underneath an NDA.
“We are asking the Miss USA Organization to release Noelia from the confidentiality NDA clause of her contract, in perpetuity, so that she is free to speak on her experiences and time as Miss USA,” the assertion reads. “Our goal is to give Noelia her voice back.”
Laylah Rose, the CEO and president of the Miss USA Organization, stated on Wednesday her objective is “to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore it all, and continue to preserve integrity along the way.”
“I hold myself to these same high standards and I take these allegations seriously,” she wrote. “Please be assured that the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA is my top priority.”
Rose didn’t clarify particularly which allegations she was referring to.
Claudia Michelle, a former Miss USA social media director, resigned from her place on Saturday, days earlier than Voigt, citing an absence of funding and help from the corporate. Michelle stated she “worked without compensation” for the primary two months of her employment with the Miss USA Organization.
She stated she personally witnessed a decline in Voigt’s psychological well being, in addition to “disrespect” towards Srivastava and her household.
Michelle additionally wrote assistant nationwide administrators throughout the firm had been lately “let go” for undisclosed causes.
“I feel the way current management speaks about their titleholders is unprofessional and inappropriate; I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind,” Michelle wrote in her assertion.
Shanna Moakler, a former Miss USA and one of many group’s executives, launched a assertion following Srivastava’s resignation.
Moakler stated she and different executives “are not sitting silently; we are working our best behind the scenes to ensure the future of an organization we love dearly.”
She stated the group is devoted to the emotional well-being of all contestants and strives to help titleholders in reaching all of their private objectives.
“Not every year is perfect, and personalities can clash; being a titleholder is a job and not one that fits everyone, either,” Moakler wrote.
Crowning the brand new Miss USA 2023
On Thursday, the Miss USA Organization introduced Miss Hawaii USA, Savannah Gankiewicz, will take over the crown. Gankiewicz positioned second within the 2023 Miss USA pageant.
“I fully support and respect Noelia’s decision to step down, and I stand in solidarity with mental health awareness,” Savannah stated within the announcement. “I accept the crown knowing that I have been uplifted by my supporters, family, friends, and the people of Hawaii throughout this journey. I accept this title on their behalf.”
“To my fellow Miss USA sisters, I believe it’s crucial for us to stand united for the future of the organization and the incoming class of 2024 and beyond,” she continued. “I pledge my wholehearted support to the new delegates who have dedicated themselves to their state pageants, and I am committed to ensuring a seamless and memorable transition between Miss USA titleholders.”
Gankiewicz’s coronation is scheduled for May 15.
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