Miss USA Noelia Voigt steps down after just seven months to prioritize her ... trends now
Reigning Miss USA Noelia Voigt announced her resignation just seven months after winning the pageant to focus on her 'physical and mental well-being.'
Voigt, 24, declared that she would be stepping down in a statement posted to Instagram Monday, days after posting on Instagram a smiling picture from the Kentucky Derby.
'In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health,' she wrote.
'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.'
Voigt was awarded the title last September after campaigning on messages of anti-bullying, dating violence awareness and immigration reform. She was the first Venezuelan-American woman to win the pageant.
Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt announced her resignation in an Instagram post, days after she appeared at the Kentucky Derby
Voigt, 24, was crowned last September after campaigning on messages of anti-bullying and immigration reform, but plans to step down to prioritize her 'physical and mental well-being'
'In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health,' Voigt wrote in Monday's announcement
'I realize this may come as a large shock to many,' Voigt captioned the post. 'Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.'
Her announcement came just days after she appeared at the Kentucky Derby wearing a dress from Sherri Hill, a brand she has worked with extensively in the past.
Miss USA is a national beauty pageant that selects the entrant from the United States in the Miss Universe pageant. It has been held every year since 1952.
Shortly after Voigt's announcement, the Miss USA Organization released its own statement on social media.
'Thank you, Noelia, for your service as Miss USA. We wish you the best in this next chapter,' the statement began.
'We respect and support former Miss USA Noelia Voigt’s decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time.'
The organization added it has begun the process of transferring Voigt's responsibilities to a successor.
The competition, which advertises itself as 'a staple in the pageant industry,' has long been marred by controversy and tragedy.
The Miss USA Organization released its own statement thanking Voigt for her 'service' and announcing that a successor would assume her responsibilities
The pageant has been marred with controversy, including the suicide of Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst
Kryst, who jumped to her death from a Manhattan high-rise in January 2022, detailed in a posthumous memoir how the backlash over her win led to her taking her own life
Several contestants later alleged that Miss USA Organization's former vice president, Max Sebrechts, had sexually
