Before she shopped for her Miss Teen USA dress, UmaSofia Srivastava’s mom had a dream. It showed her daughter in a sparkling purple gown and wearing a crown. That dream became a reality. But eight months after winning, both UmaSofia and Noelia Voigt made history as the first girls to step down from their titles in the 72 years of Miss USA.
Although they couldn’t share much due to strict agreements, their mothers revealed that the queens faced “eight months of torture and abuse” under Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose, who denied the claims.
Traditionally, pageant winners get a farewell moment before crowning their successors. But Voigt and Srivastava never had that opportunity—until recently. On August 2, they walked the stage at the Miss All-American competition in Charleston, South Carolina, ending their pageant careers with emotion and grace.
During their first joint interview after resigning, the two shared how they cope with life’s changes and their enduring love for pageants. They were excited to help with the new national pageant filled with contestants eager to embrace a healthier environment.
Voigt expressed that it was eye-opening to be part of something that felt right again. This new direction marks a sharp turn from their past experience, which included step-down protocols under pressure.
The leadership in the new pageant is in the hands of Paula Miles, a former director with Miss USA. Paula had stepped down in light of Rose’s actions, reflecting the organization’s troubling shifts over the past few years.
Voigt and Srivastava’s experience as Miss USA and Miss Teen USA was marred by a lack of appearances and harsh communication from Rose. Voigt has even spoken about the toll it took on her mental health, requiring medication to cope with anxiety stemming from her time as Miss USA.
While Miss Universe, the overseeing organization, did not investigate these allegations, Voigt stated that they would continue fighting for a better future. They believe superficial change isn’t enough; key actions must be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of future contestants.
Recently, they participated in a mental health panel at the Miss All-American pageant. Here, Srivastava tackled tough topics like bullying and mental health openly for the first time, finding resonance among contestants. Such conversations are essential for genuine empowerment, they believe. “Pageant girls are so much more than the gowns,” Srivastava said.
Now, they are looking toward the future. Voigt plans to study nursing, while Srivastava is set to attend New York University for marketing and music business next spring. Reflecting on their experiences, Srivastava said, “In time, we can redefine our lives and futures.” They ended their chapter wearing the same outfits that started their journeys—Voigt in her golden gown, and Srivastava in the dream purple dress. As they received a standing ovation, it was clear: neither had lost a crown but instead reclaimed their voices.
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