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| Sage Media Group |
The night before shopping for a dress for the 2023 Miss Teen USA pageant, UmaSofia Srivastava’s mother had a vivid dream her 16-year-old daughter, in a purple gown, wearing a sparkling crown. That vision came true, but no one could have predicted what would follow.
Just eight months after being crowned, Srivastava and Miss USA Noelia Voigt made history as the first titleholders in the organization’s 72 years to resign.
Bound by strict nondisclosure agreements, both women have been limited in what they can say. But their mothers spoke publicly, alleging the pair endured “eight months of torture and abuse” under Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose accusations Rose has denied.
Traditionally, outgoing winners enjoy a farewell walk before passing on their crowns. Voigt and Srivastava never received that moment until August 2, when they closed their pageant chapters at the debut Miss All-American competition in Charleston, South Carolina.
In their first joint interview since resigning, the two shared how they’ve moved forward, the lessons they’ve learned, and why they still believe in the future of pageantry.
A Fresh Start
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On August 1, the evening before their farewell walk, Voigt, 25, and Srivastava, 18, sat in the North Charleston Performing Arts Center amid the bustle of rehearsals for the first-ever Miss All-American pageant, which drew 117 contestants from 28 states.
Nearby, a sold-out hotel buzzed with activity. Parents stopped by their table to ask for directions or deliver last-minute essentials for contestants.
Serving as national ambassadors for the new competition gave Voigt and Srivastava a taste of the tradition and respect they had hoped for during their original reigns. They even took part in the sashing ceremony, presenting white ribbons marked with each contestant’s hometown.
The Miss All-American pageant is run by Paula Miles, a former Miss USA state director who resigned in 2024 after decades of service, citing her disapproval of Rose’s leadership. Not ready to leave the pageant world entirely, Miles revived the long-defunct Miss Teen All-American famously won by Halle Berry in 1985 and expanded it to include Miss All-American and Miss All-American Junior titles.
When asked to join as ambassadors, Voigt said the decision was instant. “They knew we didn’t get the ending we hoped for, and they wanted to give us that opportunity.”
Srivastava agreed. “Everyone here understands what we went through. It’s been a safe place to heal and build something better.”
Old Problems, New Year
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During their reigns, both women say they were sidelined. Their mothers allege Rose refused to schedule public appearances, impersonated them on social media, and communicated in ways they described as “abusive.”
In her resignation letter, Voigt wrote that the constant harassment took a “detrimental mental and emotional toll” and led her to take anxiety medication for the first time in her life. “It wasn’t something random,” she said. “It was the direct result of the environment we were in.”
Rose has denied the allegations, calling them “false” in a statement to ABC News and saying that any misconduct would have been addressed immediately.
Despite their resignations, the 2024 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants proceeded as scheduled. The Miss Universe Organization, which oversees both, did not investigate the claims. In a July 2024 statement, the organization described itself as a “beacon of women empowerment” and said it remained committed to integrity and inclusion.
Voigt and Srivastava hoped their resignations would spark change. While some potential contestants have walked away, they say the core issues persist. “We thought it would have a bigger impact,” Srivastava said. “It stopped some girls from competing, but the problems are still there.”
Voigt is even more blunt: “Things will either stay the same or get worse. We were the first to go through it, but the truth comes out eventually.”
Shaping a Different Future
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Charleston became a turning point. The two spoke at a mental health panel for contestants, where Srivastava shared her struggles with bullying, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm something she had never discussed in a pageant setting before.
“It was so well-received,” she said. “Pageant girls are more than gowns and sashes we have ideas, voices, and experiences worth sharing.”
Voigt agreed, noting that empowering women also means creating space for hard conversations. “So many contestants thanked us afterward. It reinforced why we still believe in pageantry done right.”
Both credit pageants with building their confidence, even if their final experiences were painful. Voigt, once a shy teenager, says she’s grateful for the journey and proud to close her chapter with dignity.
Since resigning, their lives have taken new directions. Voigt plans to start nursing school, while Srivastava will attend New York University to study marketing and music business. “At first, the future felt uncertain,” Srivastava admitted. “But stepping back allowed us to redefine our paths.”
For their farewell walk, they returned to the dresses that started it all Voigt in the gold gown from her Miss USA win, Srivastava in the purple dress her mother once dreamed of.
As the crowd rose in a standing ovation and their parents wiped away tears, Voigt summed up the moment: “I didn’t lose a crown. I reclaimed my voice.”
