The Miss USA organization has named a new titleholder, Miss Hawaii, Savannah Gankiewicz, following the resignation of the original titleholder, Noelia Voigt, earlier in the week. Gankiewicz, who was the runner-up at the Miss USA pageant last October, is described as being dedicated to empowering women through self-love and confidence, making her an inspirational choice for the crown.
Noelia Voigt resigned from her Miss USA title after only 7 months in order to prioritize her mental health. This marked the first time in the pageant’s history that a titleholder voluntarily relinquished the crown. Gankiewicz expressed her support for Voigt’s decision in a statement, accepting the crown on behalf of her supporters, family, friends, and the people of Hawaii.
Gankiewicz, who is a model, entrepreneur, and program director of a nonprofit organization, stated that her decision to accept the title was not taken lightly. She expressed gratitude for her supporters and vowed to use her time as Miss USA to help rebuild Lahaina on her home island of Maui. She also thanked everyone for their encouraging words and kindness as she embarks on this new journey.
Sources close to the situation alleged that there may have been bullying by management within the pageant organization, potentially leading to both beauty queens giving up their crowns. Concerned fans on Instagram pointed out that the first letter in each sentence of Voigt’s resignation spelled out a message indicating that she felt silenced. The Miss USA organization has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of rigging in 2022 and sexual messages sent by a former president’s husband.
Former Miss New York, Thatiana Diaz, expressed that a reckoning within the organization has been long overdue, highlighting the impact that the pressures of being a beauty queen can have on mental health. She emphasized the importance of treating beauty pageant contestants as human beings and supporting them through the challenges they face. Gankiewicz called on her fellow pageant sisters to stand united for the future of the organization and support incoming classes of delegates during her reign as Miss USA.
