WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, announced her resignation from the prestigious title just days after Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, also stepped down. Srivastava took to her Instagram account to share her decision, citing a misalignment of personal values with the organization’s direction.
“After careful consideration, I’ve decided to resign as I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,” Srivastava expressed in her Instagram statement, where she also expressed gratitude for the support received from her family, state directors, sister queens, and fans. She emphasized her commitment to advocacy for education and acceptance despite stepping down from her role as Miss Teen USA.
Srivastava’s resignation came as a shock to many, especially considering her excitement upon winning the title as the first Mexican-Indian American to hold the position. She had previously expressed pride in representing her heritage and engaging in philanthropic efforts, including her work with the Lotus Petal Foundation to support underprivileged children in India.
The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organizations responded to Srivastava’s resignation with a statement expressing respect for her decision and affirming their commitment to the well-being of all titleholders. They assured that a successor would be named soon to fill the vacancy left by Srivastava’s resignation.
Srivastava’s decision to step down follows Voigt’s announcement earlier in the week, where she cited mental health reasons for relinquishing her Miss USA title. Voigt’s resignation post raised speculation among fans due to the first letter of each sentence spelling out “I am silenced,” prompting discussions about the culture within beauty pageants and the treatment of contestants.
While both Srivastava and Voigt have yet to elaborate further on their reasons for resigning, former members of the Miss USA organization, including former Miss USA Shanna Moakler and former social media director Claudia Michelle, have spoken out about alleged problems within the organization. Michelle, in particular, mentioned workplace toxicity and bullying, urging for the voices and stories of titleholders to be heard.