Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, has made the decision to step down from her role, citing concerns for her mental health as the primary reason for her resignation.
Voigt, 24, captioned her statement on Instagram saying, “I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being. Our health is our wealth. A million thank you’s to all of you for your constant and unwavering support. Time to write the next chapter.”
In her resignation message, Voigt expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she had during her tenure, highlighting her work with Smile Train, a prominent cleft-focused organization, and her advocacy efforts against bullying, dating violence, and for immigration rights and reform.
“Eternal gratitude fills my heart when I think about the platform I was given to make a difference, the feeling of achieving a lifelong dream, and connecting with people all over the world, just as I said I would do on the Miss USA stage,” she said in her statement.
She highlighted the importance of prioritizing mental health and encouraged others to use their voices to advocate for themselves and others.
“Deep down I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me, and my hope is that I continue to inspire others to remain steadfast, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain,” she wrote.
Voigt, hailing from Utah, made history as the first Venezuelan-American woman to win the Miss USA title, succeeding the 2022 winner, Morgan Romano of North Carolina.
Acknowledging Voigt's decision, the Miss USA organization released a statement on Facebook, expressing support for her choice.
“We respect and support Noelia’s decision to step down from her duties,” read the statement. “The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time.”
Plans for selecting Voigt's successor are underway, with the organization set to make an announcement soon.
The Miss USA pageant, with a history spanning over 70 years, has undergone changes in ownership over time.
According to Rolling Stone, Former President Donald Trump once owned the Miss Universe Organization, which oversees Miss USA among other pageants, before selling it in 2015.
This move came after controversial remarks made by Trump led to broadcasters NBC and Univision severing ties with him and the pageants.
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