Mothers of former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA speak out on alleged abuse leading to resignations
The mothers of former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA have spoken out about the reasons behind their daughters’ recent resignations.
According to a US morning news show, one mother described the pageant experience as a “nightmare” despite it being a “dream job” for their daughters.
The two titleholders resigned just one day apart last week.
Both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA supported their decisions and promised to announce successors.
However, the Miss Universe Organization, which oversees the sister pageants, has not addressed the allegations of abuse and bullying.
On ABC’s Good Morning America, Barbara Srivastava, mother of Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, and Jackeline Voigt, mother of former Miss USA Noelia Voigt, spoke on behalf of their daughters due to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
Ms. Srivastava stated that their families “could not continue this charade.”
They claimed their daughters had been “ill-treated, abused, bullied, and cornered,” and demanded an apology from the Miss Universe Organization.
Noelia Voigt was the first to resign on May 6, citing mental health issues. She shared on Instagram, “Never compromise your physical and mental wellbeing. Our health is our wealth.”
Fans noted that her post’s first 11 sentences seemed to spell out “I am silenced.”
Her mother did not confirm if this was intentional but felt her daughter was silenced by the organization.
Noelia Voigt’s resignation came three days after Claudia Michelle, Miss USA’s social media director, resigned, citing “workplace toxicity and bullying” and advocating that titleholders “should be heard and not silenced.”
A day after Voigt’s resignation, UmaSofia Srivastava stepped down as Miss Teen USA, explaining on Instagram that her “personal values no longer fully align” with the pageant organization.
Her mother mentioned that her daughter’s resignation was influenced by Voigt’s exit and that UmaSofia’s social media was monitored by the organization.
Both mothers urged an end to participation in Miss USA-affiliated pageants to prevent others from facing similar mistreatment.
Miss Teen USA runner-up Stephanie Skinner, 19, also declined the crown, stating to the New York Post, “I ultimately came to the decision to decline it,” emphasizing her commitment to “female empowerment” and that her “integrity and character will always come before crowns.”
Source-BBC
