Former Miss USA 2023 alleges toxic work environment in resignation letter

Former Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt claimed in an eight-page resignation letter obtained by ABC News on Friday that the Miss USA Organization maintained a toxic work environment that led to her decision to resign.

Voigt resigned his title on Monday, citing mental health issues.

“There is a toxic work environment within the Miss USA Organization that, at best, is mismanagement and, at worst, bullying and harassment,” Voigt wrote in the letter, in part. “It started shortly after she won the Miss USA 2023 title.”

Voigt named Laylah Rose, president and CEO of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organizations, in his resignation letter and claimed that Rose “was generally inaccessible to communicate,” failed to offer support and allegedly “slandered” her “.

Voigt also claimed she “didn’t feel safe” at events she attended as Miss USA 2023 titleholder, which “culminated in sexual harassment at the 2023 Sarasota Christmas Parade “.

“At future events, the organization completely neglected its responsibility to provide a chaperone and/or travel companion, and I was alone,” Voigt claimed.

In her resignation letter, Voigt claimed that her experience after being named Miss USA in September 2023 took a toll on her physical and mental health and led to her being diagnosed with anxiety and prescribed medication. and other treatments.

“It is important that I make this clear: the consequences of this treatment, this experience and this abuse will have lasting consequences on my health,” she wrote. “This is unfortunately not something that will magically disappear. I know the harsh reality of this fact, and I will no longer continue to allow myself to feel like a victim.”

Overall, Voigt claimed in her resignation letter that she was “concerned” about the Miss USA brand and alleged that Rose was also “actively building a culture of fear and control, the antithesis of female empowerment.” women, which creates a toxic and dangerous workplace for women.” future owners and employees.”

“Good Morning America” ​​reached out to the Miss USA Organization for comment on the claims in Voigt’s letter.

Voigt announced Monday that she would resign and relinquish her crown in an Instagram post, citing mental health issues.

“In life, I place great emphasis on the importance of making the decisions that are best for you and your mental health,” Voigt wrote in a lengthy statement at the time, in which she detailed her “aspect favorite thing about being Miss USA,” she said. included “working with Smile Train, being a strong advocate for anti-bullying, dating violence awareness and prevention, immigration rights and reform, and shed light on my roots as the first Venezuelan-American woman to win Miss USA.”

She added that her “journey as Miss USA was incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe.”

“I am grateful for the love and support from fans old and new, my family, friends, coaches, former national and local directors, and my beloved Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia ( Srivastava),” she wrote.

The Miss USA Organization and Rose issued a response to Voigt’s announcement on Monday, sharing a joint Instagram post and writing that they supported Voigt’s decision to step down.

“We respect and support Noelia’s decision to step down from her role. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand that she must prioritize herself at this time,” it read. partly in the press release. “We are currently reviewing plans to hand over responsibilities to a successor, and we will soon announce the crowning of the new Miss USA.”

Umasofia Srivastava, Miss Teen USA 2023, also announced on Wednesday that she was resigning from her position.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to resign as I find that my personal values ​​no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,” Srivastava wrote in part in her own Instagram post.

In a statement to USA Today on Wednesday, Rose said: “Our overall goal at Miss USA is to celebrate and empower women. Our contestants are making a real difference in this country and around the world. It has always been my personal goal in My time at the helm of this organization has been to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore everything, and continue to maintain their integrity throughout the process. I hold myself to these same high standards. and I take these allegations seriously and the well-being of everyone associated with Miss USA is my top priority.”

A contingent of Miss USA 2023 contestants released a joint statement of support for Voigt on Thursday, which was shared on Instagram by Miss Wisconsin USA 2023 Alexis Loomans.

“Prioritizing mental health is of the utmost importance, and we support it,” the statement read in part.

The group also called on the Miss USA Organization to release Voigt from a confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement within 24 hours “so that she is free to speak about her experiences and her time as Miss USA.” .

“Our goal is to give Noelia her voice back. We demand full transparency for candidates in the class of 2024 and beyond,” they wrote.

Following Voigt’s resignation, Miss USA announced Thursday that Savannah Gankiewicz, Miss Hawaii USA and first runner-up, would become the new 2023 titleholder.