The resignation of Miss USA Noelia Voigt has brought to light allegations of a toxic work environment within the Miss USA Organization. In an internal resignation letter obtained by The New York Times, Ms. Voigt mentioned poor management, bullying, harassment, and delays in receiving her prize winnings. Her departure has prompted at least two other resignations, including Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava and former Miss USA contestant Arianna Lemus. Speculation within the pageant world suggests that winners may be legally prohibited from speaking about their experiences with the organization, leading to calls for Ms. Voigt to be released from any nondisclosure agreements.
In her resignation letter, Ms. Voigt also revealed that she experienced sexual harassment during a Christmas parade in Florida and felt unsupported by the organization when she reported the incident. Serving as Miss USA took a toll on her health, causing anxiety, heart palpitations, weight loss, and other symptoms. Some have interpreted her cryptic Instagram post announcing her resignation as a message that she is silenced and unable to speak openly about her experience. Shortly after Ms. Voigt’s resignation, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava also stepped down from her position, citing a misalignment of personal values with the organization’s direction.
Laylah Rose, the president and chief executive of the Miss USA Organization, responded to the recent resignations by emphasizing the organization’s goal to celebrate and empower women. She stated that she was taking the allegations seriously and intended to provide helpful steps to address any issues within the organization. Both Ms. Srivastava and Ms. Voigt declined to comment, citing nondisclosure agreements outlined in their contracts with the organization. Several of Ms. Voigt’s fellow Miss USA 2023 competitors published a statement on Instagram demanding that she be released from any restrictions preventing her from speaking out about her experience.
Former Miss USA participants, including Claudia Michelle Engelhardt, who resigned from her role as social media director, have criticized the contract signing process as unfair and coercive. Engelhardt described feeling pressured to sign the contract in order to compete and suggested that contestants were essentially being held hostage by the organization. Juliana Morehouse, who competed at Miss USA representing Maine, expressed concerns about the ironclad nature of the nondisclosure agreement that contestants were required to sign. She highlighted the lack of legal representation and limited time provided to review the contracts, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in future participant agreements.
Despite the positive experiences of some participants, there is a growing push for greater accountability and transparency within the Miss USA Organization. Former Miss Colorado USA Arianna Lemus noted the irony of an organization that promotes women’s empowerment but may be operating in a way that silences and restricts contestants. The resignations and allegations of mistreatment have sparked a conversation within the pageant community about the treatment of participants and the need for a more equitable and supportive environment for all involved. Through their public statements and calls for action, former contestants are challenging the status quo and advocating for change within the Miss USA Organization.
