Miss USA Pageant – Controversy Erupts Over Mental Health and Disrespect
The recent resignations of both the reigning Miss USA Pageant and Miss Teen USA have cast a spotlight on the parent organization of these esteemed pageants.
Their departures, citing concerns over mental health and discrepancies in values, have raised questions about the inner workings of these renowned competitions.
This upheaval unfolded rapidly, with Claudia Michelle, the social media director for Miss USA, announcing her resignation on May 3 via Instagram.
Unveiling Grievances and Advocating for Well-being
In her post, Michelle revealed grievances about her unpaid two-month stint, lack of adequate support, and what she perceived as disrespectful treatment of the titleholders by management.
Michelle specifically mentioned her close working relationship with Miss USA Noelia Voigt, expressing distress over witnessing a decline in Voigt’s mental well-being.
Voigt, a 24-year-old Venezuelan American, echoed these sentiments in her resignation announcement, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one’s physical and mental health.
Similarly, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, aged 17, faced what Michelle described as disrespect toward her and her family.
Condemning Toxicity and Advocating Fearlessly
Michelle unequivocally condemned workplace toxicity and bullying, denouncing what she viewed as unprofessional behavior from management towards Voigt and Srivastava.
Voigt’s departure carried a poignant message urging others to advocate for their well-being and use their voice fearlessly.
Notably, internet observers pointed out a potential coded message in Voigt’s statement, deciphering “I AM SILENCED” from the initial letters of each sentence.
Srivastava, a first-generation Mexican-Indian American, announced her resignation, citing a misalignment of personal values with the organization’s direction.
Both Miss USA Pageant and Miss Teen USA organizations expressed support for the resigning titleholders, emphasizing their commitment to the well-being of all contestants.
This episode adds to the string of controversies surrounding the Miss USA pageant in recent years.
Allegations of favoritism towards specific contestants have surfaced, though subsequent investigations found no evidence to support these claims.
Despite this, the organization saw leadership changes, with former titleholder Crystle Stewart stepping down as president amid internal turmoil.
Voigt’s resignation marks a significant departure from tradition, as it is the first time a Miss USA Pageant titleholder has relinquished her crown for reasons other than winning Miss Universe.
Tragically, the pageant community mourned the loss of Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019, who passed away by suicide in early 2022, shedding light on the mental health challenges faced by participants even after their reign.
In her posthumously published memoir, Kryst candidly shared her struggles with long-standing insecurities, exacerbated by the pressures of pageant life and cyberbullying.
Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing mental health within the pageant industry and beyond.