Savannah Gankiewicz acquired the title at a time when many beauties introduced to return the crown, Miss USA was concerned in an unprecedented scandal in its 72-year historical past.
A couple of days after Noelia Voigt introduced she would return the crown to guard her psychological well being, Miss USA introduced the return of the Miss America title to 1st runner-up of the competitors, Savannah Gankiewicz, the Vietnamese-born magnificence who was topped. Miss Hawaii.
“The Miss USA Group is happy to announce that Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz is Miss America 2023. She will likely be topped in her residence state of Hawaii throughout the coronation ceremony on Could 15,” Miss USA introduced.
Gankiewicz additionally introduced his acceptance of the brand new title: “I totally help and respect Noelia’s choice… I settle for the crown figuring out that I’ve been helped by my supporters, household, and associates.” and the folks of Hawaii all through this journey. I settle for this title on their behalf… To the Miss USA sisters, I imagine it will be significant that we unite for the way forward for the group, the upcoming exams in 2024 and past”.
Whereas Miss USA is being criticized for making a poisonous atmosphere that brought about two magnificence queens, Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava, to return their crowns, Gankiewicz’s assertion acquired many blended opinions.
“That is actually disappointing. Good luck doing something with this group. You’ll know precisely why Noelia returned the crown within the subsequent few days,” one individual left a touch upon his private web page. by Gankiewicz.
Some others spoke as much as defend the Vietnamese magnificence: “Criticizing the brand new magnificence queen brings no outcomes. If Savannah refuses this title, one other lady will exchange her.”
Stunning letter
After Voigt returned the crown, social networks unfold the resignation letter she despatched to the Miss USA group. Many particulars revealing a poisonous working atmosphere in addition to “gagging” agreements have shocked the general public, in line with The New York Instances.
Within the eight-page letter, Voigt, who represents Utah and was topped in September 2023, described “a poisonous work atmosphere inside Miss USA that was characterised by poor administration and issues.” bullying and harassment”. She additionally complained within the letter that the group had delayed the fee of her prize winnings.
Voigt writes that being Miss America has taken a toll on her well being. She struggled with anxiousness and needed to take treatment to manage signs equivalent to “coronary heart palpitations, physique tremors, lack of urge for food, weight reduction, insomnia, hair loss and extra.”
Noelia Voigt returns the crown to guard psychological well being.
Some imagine that Voigt’s Instagram submit saying the return of the crown contained a secret message. In the event you mix the primary letters of the primary 11 sentences, it’s going to type the phrase “I AM SILENCED”. This reveals that Voigt can’t communicate publicly about what occurred to her.
Miss USA didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Voigt’s withdrawal prompted many others to talk up and take motion. UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss Teen USA, introduced she’s going to relinquish her title. Arianna Lemus, who represents Colorado at Miss America 2023, additionally returned her crown to point out solidarity after seeing Voigt’s submit.
After Srivastava’s announcement, Miss Teen USA remains to be vacant as a result of runner-up Stephanie Skinner, Miss Teen New York, additionally refused to simply accept the crown. “Ultimately, I made a decision to show it down. I felt that accepting this place was not likely the best choice contemplating all of the circumstances,” she informed The New York Put up.
The atmosphere is poisonous and stuffy
After Voigt’s announcement, many Miss America 2023 contestants posted on Instagram asking the Miss USA Group to launch Voigt from non-disclosure agreements.
Juliana Morehouse, Miss America contestant representing Maine, mentioned in an interview with The Instances that the submit originated from a bunch chat of 2023 individuals “shocked and saddened” to listen to of Voigt’s resignation. Throughout a Zoom name, they provided a message they needed to share in help of Voigt.
Morehouse didn’t give precise numbers however mentioned the quantity of people that wrote and shared this submit accounted for almost all of the 51 contestants at Miss America 2023.
Claudia Michelle Engelhardt, who stepped down from her position as social media director for Miss USA this month, mentioned she felt pageants have been unfairly pressured into signing contracts.
UmaSofia Srivastava (first from proper) relinquishes the title of Miss Teen USA.
“It is virtually like ‘You need to signal this otherwise you will not be capable of compete’. They’re principally holding you hostage as a result of there isn’t any higher possibility than signing the contract,” Engelhardt mentioned. communicate.
Morehouse mentioned she was given “a bit of greater than 24 hours” to evaluation the contract. “I do not assume any of us sought authorized illustration to undergo it with us,” she mentioned.
She emphasised that whereas her private expertise with Miss USA was optimistic, she hopes talking out will make sure that the identical occurs for all future contestants.
Lemus, a former Miss Colorado, mentioned she sees some irony in the best way Miss USA operates. “That is additionally a corporation that preaches ladies’s empowerment,” she mentioned.
Denise White, PR consultant for each Srivastava and Voigt and Miss Oregon 1994, requested for drastic adjustments within the work atmosphere, not a seek for a brand new identify to bestow the title. In response to her, every part is collapsing so the way forward for Miss USA is extraordinarily unstable.
“What I’ve been witnessing is harassment, a poisonous work atmosphere and bullying. Folks want to talk as much as escape that suffocating tradition and the contract that’s pressured on those that are topped have to be silent,” White informed CNN.