When Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava resigned from their Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titles in May 2024, it was the first time that had ever happened in the pageant's 72-year history.
Restricted by NDAs, the two pageant queens couldn't share exactly why they had lost trust in the Miss USA organization, which oversees both pageants. Still, Business Insider's Anneta Konstantinides spoke to their mothers last year, who said they had endured "eight months of torture and abuse" at the hands of Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose — accusations that Rose denied.
Now, for their first joint interview since they both resigned, the two queens sat down together with Konstantinides. Voigt and Srivastava said that they hoped stepping down would do more to change the organization.
"We thought it would have more of an impact," Srivastava said. "It stopped a lot of girls from competing, but it didn't fully put an end to what the issue was. We wish it had done more."
Voigt added that she doesn't see how Miss USA will continue to move forward if nothing changes at the organization, referring to the toxic workplace environment accusations.
"The truth comes out eventually," she continued. "Sometimes, it just takes longer than we want. People's eyes are opening, and the rose-colored glasses — no pun intended — are starting to come off."
They also weighed in on Miss Universe CEO's "blond hair and blue eyes" comment, calling it "destructive."
Rose and representatives for Miss USA and Miss Universe, who oversee the pageants, did not respond to requests for comment.
.png)
