Catherine Rusoff
After Miss USA gave up her title earlier this month to focus on her mental health, the Miss USA Organization crowned a successor, Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz.
Gankiewicz was crowned in Hawaii on May 15, where she was born and raised. She was first runner-up in the 2023 Miss USA pageant, but lost to Miss Utah USA, Noelia Voigt.
Voight, however, gave up his crown earlier this month, urging people to prioritize their mental health in a social media post announcing his resignation. The Miss USA organization said it respected her decision and that “the well-being of its titleholders is a top priority.”
Photography by Erik Kabik/MediaPunch via AP
A few days later, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava gave up her crown, saying in a statement on social media that his “personal values are no longer fully aligned with the direction of the organization.” She did not specify which values were not aligned.
The New Jersey teen said she’s looking forward to finishing 11th grade and starting the college application process.
And just days before their firings, Miss USA’s social media director Claudia Michelle resigned, saying he saw a decline in Voigt’s mental health and saw Srivastava and his family disrespected
She also alleged that the titleholders failed to share their personal defenses on social media and were threatened by Miss USA’s social media rules in the guidelines, which she said she had not yet seen.
“I feel that the way the current administration talks about its incumbents is unprofessional and inappropriate; I reject toxicity in the workplace and bullying of any kind,” she wrote on social media. She shared a photo of herself with Srivastava and Voight.
Claudia Michelle
The Miss USA organization said it was concerned about what it called false accusations. “Miss USA is committed to promoting a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, and we take these allegations seriously,” they said in a statement to USA Today, adding that they would transfer duties from the previous title holders to their successors.
Last week, Miss Colorado USA Arianna Lemus announced she was resigning, declaring on social media that she is calling for reforms in the Miss USA organization. “I sympathize with Noelia and UmaSofia, former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2023, as I step down from my role as Miss Colorado USA,” she said in her statement.
“Noelia and UmaSofia’s voices were stifled by the restrictions of a contract that undermines their rights and dignity,” she continued. “These remarkable women serve as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for reform within the Miss USA organization.”
Gankiewicz commented on the resignation of her fellow pageant queens during her coronation on Wednesday. “I have empathy for the former incumbents, but I took this on as a job and a responsibility to really help make a positive impact on this organization that I truly believe in,” she told CBS affiliate KGMB.
In a statement, Gankiewicz said she fully supports and respects Voigt’s decision to resign and stands in solidarity with mental health awareness. “I accept the crown knowing that I have been supported by my supporters, family, friends and the people of Hawaii throughout this journey. I accept this title on their behalf.
“To my fellow Miss USA colleagues, I believe it is crucial that we remain united for the future of the organization and the incoming class of 2024 and beyond. I pledge my sincere support to the new delegates who have dedicated themselves to their state pageants, and I am committed to ensuring a seamless and memorable transition among the Miss USA title holders.”
Caitlin O’Kane
