Miss Teen USA resigns days after Miss USA leaves

Miss Teen USA relinquished her title, just days after Miss USA resigned.

UmaSofia Srivastava announced the news on Instagram, saying that her “personal values ​​are no longer fully aligned” with the organization of the pageant.

It follows an earlier announcement by Miss United States Noelia Voigt, who cited mental health issues as the reason for her departure.

The Miss Teen USA organization said it supported UmaSofia’s decision and that a successor would be announced.

“After months of dealing with this decision, I have made the decision to relinquish the title of Miss Teen USA 2023,” UmaSofia began her statement.

She said she will “always fondly remember my time as Miss NJ Teen USA” and that the “experience of representing my state as a first generation Mexican-Indian American on a national level was rewarding in itself.”

UmaSofia then explained that her “personal values ​​no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”

BBC Newsbeat has approached the Miss USA organization for further comment.

“Prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it seems uncertain,” she wrote.

Online fans noticed that the first letter of each sentence of Noelia’s resignation statement spelled “I AM SILENCED,” although the last three sentences spelled “HIP.”

Miss USA thanked Noelia and said on Instagram that “the well-being of our champions is our top priority.”

It’s not just pageant queens who have recently left the organization.

Noelia’s resignation came three days after Miss USA social media director Claudia Michelle announced her own departure from the brand, citing alleged “workplace toxicity and bullying” and saying that the champions ” “They must be heard and not silenced.”

“I have had the privilege of working closely with Noelia and have sadly seen a deterioration in her mental health since we met,” he said.

Miss USA told USA Today that Claudia’s statement contained “false allegations” and said the organization was “committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, and we take these allegations seriously.”

Miss USA has already sparked controversy over the treatment of contestants, with accusations of pageant manipulation, which were denied.

In 2021, Max Sebrechts, vice president of Miss USA, resigned from his position after several contestants alleged that he had sexually harassed them.