The queens are fighting! Amid Miss USA 2023 and Miss Teen USA 2023 startlingly resigning from their respective thrones, the pageant organization's social media director also quit. A cryptic Instagram post citing “mental health” reasons with a hidden message has since prompted speculations about the unforeseen events that rocked the nation.
Highlights
- Miss USA & Miss Teen USA 2023 resigned, sparking concerns over the organization's environment.
- Noelia Voigt's resignation post secretly spelled out 'I AM SILENCED', hinting at deeper issues.
- Claudia Michelle quit as Miss USA’s social media director, citing lack of support and compensation.
Last week, Claudia Michelle announced that she would be “stepping down” as Miss USA’s social media director in an Instagram post.
She captioned a photograph where she posed between Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava: “I've unfortunately made the decision of stepping down from my role as Social Media Director for Miss USA.
“Getting to work with @noeliavoigt and @umasofias has been such a pleasure, they are the definition of true titleholders.
“I have made my official statement on the second slide and hope you take the time to read.
“I don't believe in taking sides, I believe in telling the truth.”
Amid Miss USA 2023 and Miss Teen USA 2023's shocking resignations, the organization's social media director also quit
Image credits: ABC4 Utah
Claudia alleged in her official statement that she had managed all social media for Miss USA by herself (stating that "for a brand of this caliber, a social media team is absolutely necessary") and claimed that she was not compensated for her first two months of work.
She also criticized the Miss USA organization as a whole, writing: “This is a women's empowerment organization and my hope in making this statement is to restore some of the empowerment back to these titleholders that was so deeply lost in their year.”
Image credits: ABC4 Utah
The former social media director said that during her time working closely with Noelia, she has “unfortunately seen a decline in her mental health.”
Claudia said that "her ability to share her story and her platform [has] been diminished," and she noted that she also witnessed “disrespect” toward UmaSofia and her family.
“I feel the way current management speaks about their titleholders is unprofessional and inappropriate,” she wrote, adding, “I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind.”
Miss USA Noelia announced that she was relinquishing her crown earlier this week
The bombshell news came just two days before former Miss USA Noelia announced that she was relinquishing her crown.
On Monday (May 6), the 24-year-old pageant queen from Utah shared an official statement on Instagram that read: “In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health.
"As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about ourselves."
Image credits: noeliavoigt
“My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe.
“Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.”
Noelia went on to express gratitude for the support she had received from fans, family, and friends, and her “darling beloved Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia.”
The anti-bullying advocate revealed that her favorite part of the competition had been to work with her charity and bring awareness to immigration rights in addition to “shedding light on [her] roots as the first Venezuelan-American woman to win Miss USA.”
"If you take the letter of the starting of each sentence. It says I AM SILENCED," someone noticed from Noelia's Instagram post
Image credits: noeliavoigt
She concluded her message by encouraging others: “Prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain.”
Noelia's post quickly prompted thorough analysis, catching the attention of one individual who noticed: “I AM SILENCED.”
That’s when another Instagram user explained: “If you take the letter of the starting of each sentence. It says I AM SILENCED.”
Someone else came to the same conclusion: “Look at the capital letters all together I AM SILENCED; this is unfair!!!”
Miss Teen USA UmaSofia resigned two days after Noelia
Jackeline Voigt, Noelia’s mother, also took to the comments section, writing: “As your mother, it has been a huge relief to see my Noelia’s personality restored.
"We are extremely proud of you for your selflessness in standing up for what is right while also prioritizing what is best for you."
Image credits: Pageantology
“I observed how your personality changed and how your light faded.
“It broke our hearts.
“We are so happy today to see you being you again.
“Welcome home.”
“After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign,” the 17-year-old wrote
Image credits: umasofias
Two days later, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia also took to her Instagram page to post a similar official statement.
“After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023,” the 17-year-old New Jerseyan wrote.
Image credits: noeliavoigt
Also thanking people who supported her throughout the competition, she highlighted her pride in representing her state as “a first generation, Mexican-Indian American at the national level.”
She went on to explain that her decision to resign came as a result of finding that her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”
“I LOVE YOU! So proud of you my angel,” Noelia commented.
Claudia Michelle announced that she would be “stepping down” as Miss USA’s social media director
Miss USA CEO and President Laylah Rose responded to Claudia’s allegations in a statement provided to People: “Our all-encompassing goal at Miss USA is to celebrate and empower women.
“Our participants make a real difference in this country and around the globe.
“All along, my personal goal as the head of this organization has been to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore it all, and continue to preserve integrity along the way.
“I hold myself to these same high standards and I take these allegations seriously.
“Please be assured that the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA is my top priority.”
"They're smart for cutting ties," a reader commented
