Days after asserting she is stepping away from the Miss USA 2023 crown, Noelia Voigt’s official resignation letter has surfaced. In it, she accuses the organization of creating a poisonous and insufferable work culture.
In the letter, obtained by NBC News on May 9, Voigt accused the pageant’s CEO of failing to take an incident of sexual harassment significantly and creating a poisonous work atmosphere.
“There is a toxic work environment within the Miss USA organization that, at best, is poor management and, at worst, is bullying and harassment,” Voigt, 24, wrote within the letter. “This started soon after winning the title of Miss USA 2023.”
Voigt introduced on May 6 in an Instagram post that she is resigning from the coveted title to deal with her psychological well being.
Voigt shared a prolonged message on social media with the caption, partly, “I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.”
In the textual content picture of her put up, Voigt shared, “In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health. As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about ourselves. My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe. Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.
She went on to thank her followers, mates, coaches, former administrators and then-Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava. Srivastava would comply with in Voigt’s footsteps and announce her own resignation on May 8 in a comparable Instagram post.
“Lifelong friendships and connections that I had the chance to make alongside the way in which whereas attending totally different occasions, and competing at state pageants, Miss USA, and Miss Universe are invaluable issues I will likely be eternally grateful for,” Voigt continued in her post.
Voigt wrote that her favorite part of her experience as Miss USA has been working with Smile Train and being an advocate for causes like anti-bullying, dating violence prevention and immigration rights. She also touched on her impact as the first Venezuelan-American woman to win the title.
“Never might I’ve imagined the journey that my childhood dream would take me on,” she continued in the text photo. “Constant and constant exhausting work and dedication all lead me to the place I’m at this time, and I hope that during the last seven years of competing in pageantry and sharing my journey with you all is one thing that evokes you to by no means quit in your desires, no matter they could be.
“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,” Voigt added. “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.”
In the letter obtained by NBC News, Voigt acknowledged that Miss USA CEO and President Laylah Rose usually failed to speak together with her and when she did, was “often cold and unnecessarily aggressive.”
In addition to her allegations about Rose, Voigt additionally outlined an alleged incident of sexual harassment she’d skilled at a Christmas occasion in Florida whereas on the job. The former Miss USA mentioned when she instructed Rose concerning the incident, the CEO was dismissive.
“We cannot prevent people saying things to you at public appearances, it is, unfortunately, part of the role you’re in as a public figure,” Rose allegedly instructed Voigt, the letter says.
Representatives for the Miss USA organization didn’t instantly reply to request for remark from NBC News on Thursday night.
However, in a assertion to NBC News on Wednesday, May 8 — earlier than the letter was made public — Rose instructed NBC News that “the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA is my top priority.”
“All along, my personal goal as the head of this organization has been to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore it all, and continue to preserve integrity along the way. I hold myself to these same high standards and I take these allegations seriously,” Rose mentioned.
Voigt was topped Miss USA in September 2023, making historical past as the primary Venezuelan-American woman to hold the title.
Prior to holding the accolade, Voigt attended the University of Alabama and the National Design Academy UK, the place she studied inside design. She can be a licensed esthetician and has authored a youngsters’s e-book titled “Maddie the Brave.”
Before claiming her Miss USA title, she was crowned Miss Alabama Collegiate in 2020. Following that title, she received first runner-up at Miss Alabama USA for 2 consecutive years, in 2022 and 2023.
In November 2023, she represented the United States on the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador.