Miss USA controversy: Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava gives up title, three resignations in a week

Something unprecedented has happened at the Miss USA organisation. Just two days after Miss USA Noelia Voigt’s resignation, Miss Teen USA has announced her resignation. While this is the first time that any title holder has voluntarily stepped down, Noelia Voigt’s leaked resignation letter has shed light on the deep darker issues. Miss USA organisation has come under fire. Here are the complete details.

Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava’s resignation

UmaSofia Srivastava, the Miss Teen USA of Indian Mexican, announced her resignation in an Instagram post. Citing the reason behind her decision, she said, “After careful consideration, I have decided to resign as I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organisation.”

The Miss Teen USA organisation thanked Srivastava for her service and wished her the best. In an Instagram post, the organisation wrote, “We respect and support UmaSofia’s decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority. We are currently reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor, and we will soon announce the crowning of the new Miss Teen USA.”

Miss USA’s resignation

The fresh resignation came just two days after Noelia Voigt resigned as Miss USA. In her resignation letter, which was leaked to media, the 24-year-old Miss USA had mentioned that toxic work environment within the Miss USA organisation has badly affected her physical and mental health. She also said that she is currently being treated for anxiety after experiencing ‘heart palpitations, full body shakes, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, loss of sleep, loss of hair, and more.’

While the resignations have raised questions on the organisation, some believe that Voigt’s Instagram post announcing resignation might have a secret message. The first capital letters of the sentences of her post spell out ‘I AM SILENCED’.

Viogt's leaked resignation letter

In the resignation letter, obtained by NBC, Miss USA organisation is mentioned as cold and threatening. Voigt claims that Rose threatened to take away her salary for minor issues. Mentioning one instance, Voigt wrote that when she was scheduled to throw the opening pitch at a baseball game, Rose said she hoped Voigt would be hit in the face by a ball. Voigt’s pageant coach said that the leaked part is literally the scratching of the surface and it goes deeper and it goes a little darker. He revealed that the orignial letter, which was read to him, is seven pages long.

Was UmaSofia Srivastva also harassed?

New York Post quoted an anonymous source who revealed that UmaSofia Srivastva was treated so badly that her parents refused Rose to talk directly to their daughter.

Not the only two resignations

Shockingly, it’s not just the two beauty queens who have resigned recently. Social media director Claudia Michelle put down her papers on May 3 and made several allegations against the organisation. She alleged workplace toxicity and bullying. According to New York Post, the three women coordinated their resignation announcements one after the other.