The mothers of the former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA have shared their reasons for why their daughters decided to give up their crowns. One mother revealed on a US morning news show that “the job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare.” The two pageant queens resigned just a day apart from each other last week.
Miss USA and Miss Teen USA expressed their support for the titleholders decisions to step down and announced that a successor would be named soon. Miss Universe the organization that oversees these pageants has yet to respond to the allegations of abuse and bullying.
On Tuesday, the two mothers spoke to ABC’s Good Morning America explaining that they were speaking on behalf of their daughters, who are bound by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
Barbara Srivastava, the mother of Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, appeared alongside Jackeline Voigt, the mother of former Miss USA Noelia Voigt. Ms. Srivastava stated that their families “could not continue this charade.”
They claimed that their daughters had been “ill-treated, abused, bullied, and cornered,” and demanded an apology from the Miss Universe Organization.
Noelia Voigt was the first to resign on May 6, citing mental health struggles. she said
“Never compromise your physical and mental wellbeing,” she wrote on Instagram. “Our health is our wealth.”
Miss Teen USA quit her role, just days after Miss USA also stepped down.UmaSofia Srivastava explained on Instagram that she didn’t agree with the pageant group anymore.The Miss Teen USA team said they support UmaSofia’s decision and will soon name a new winner.
Voigt’s resignation followed the resignation of Miss USA’s social media director, Claudia Michelle, who cited “workplace toxicity and bullying.” Michelle said she noticed a decline in Voigt’s mental health and claimed Voigt’s ability to share her story was limited.
Miss USA denied these accusations, stating they are committed to a supportive environment and take such allegations seriously.
Fans noticed that the first letters of each sentence in Voigt’s resignation statement spelled “I AM SILENCED” though the last three letters spelled “HIP.” Many commented on this hidden message.
Her mother did not confirm whether this hidden message was intentional but expressed that she felt her daughter had been silenced by the organization. she added
“And she would be for the rest of her life if this NDA is not lifted,”
Noelia Voigt resigned three days after Miss USA’s social media director, Claudia Michelle, announced her resignation, citing “workplace toxicity and bullying” and emphasizing that titleholders “should be heard and not silenced.”
In an interview, UmaSofia’s mother stated that her daughter was mistreated by the Miss Universe Organization and that her personal social media was monitored. She mentioned that Noelia Voigt’s resignation influenced her daughter’s decision to step down.
Both mothers urged an end to participation in all Miss USA-affiliated pageants, hoping to prevent others from experiencing the alleged mistreatment their daughters faced.
Meanwhile, the Miss Teen USA runner-up, Stephanie Skinner, 19, told the New York Post that she does not want the crown either.
“I ultimately came to the decision to decline it,” she said, adding that she was “standing in solidarity and standing up for female empowerment.”
“My integrity and my character will always come before crowns.”
