New Miss USA Crowned Following Resignations And Controversy

A new Miss USA was crowned on Wednesday just weeks after last year’s winner abruptly resigned, igniting controversy and conversations surrounding mental health and the treatment of pageant participants.

The Miss USA Organization announcedlast week that Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz, the runner-up in the contest last year, would replace Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt, who resigned from the titleon May 6 due to mental health concerns.

“I fully support and respect Noelia’s decision to step down, and I stand in solidarity with mental health awareness,” Gankiewicz said in a statement last week. “I accept the crown knowing that I have been uplifted by my supporters, family, friends, and the people of Hawaii throughout this journey. I accept this title on their behalf.”

But mental health wasn’t the only reason Voigt left her title behind. In a resignation letter obtained by NBC News , the former pageant winner accused the Miss USA organization of cultivating a toxic work environment and alleged an incident of sexual harassment.

“There is a toxic work environment within the Miss USA organization that, at best, is poor management and, at worst, is bullying and harassment,” Noelia Voigt wrote in the letter. “This started soon after winning the title of Miss USA 2023.”

She added that Miss USA CEO and President Laylah Rose had consistently failed to communicate with her and that when she did, she was “often cold and unnecessarily aggressive.”

“We respect and support Noelia’s decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time,” the Miss USA organization wrote in a statement last week.

The Miss USA organization did not