Miss Teen USA Quits 2 Days After Miss USA Announced Resignation

Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava

Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava has announced her resignation.

The news comes just two days after Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, announced her own resignation, sharing on social media that she would be prioritizing her mental health.

Just days later, Srivastava took to Instagram to share a very similar message, revealing that she would be stepping down from the title after finding that her "personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization."

"After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023," the 17-year-old wrote in her post on Wednesday, May 8. "I am grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens, and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title."

"I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself," she continued, noting that her decision to resign was made after "careful consideration."

Still, Srivastava promised that she would continue her "relentless advocacy for education and acceptance," by moving forward with her multi-lingual children's book The White Jaguar as well as her partnerships with organizations that include The Lotus Petal Foundation and the Bridge of Books Foundation.

"This work has always been my TRUE purpose," she said, while expressing her plans to finish out 11th grade as part of the National Honor Society and start the college application process."

She ended her post by writing, "thank you to those who support me for who I am and have always been, not for who I've momentarily become."

"It has been a privilege," she added.

Voigt quickly reacted to the post, replying: "I LOVE YOU! So proud of you my angel."

A rep for the Miss USA Organization responded to Parade's request for comment with a statement from the organization's CEO and president Laylah Rose. 

"Our all-encompassing goal at Miss USA is to celebrate and empower women. Our participants make a real difference in this country and around the globe," Rose said. "All along, my personal goal as the head of this organization has been to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore it all, and continue to preserve integrity along the way. I hold myself to these same high standards and I take these allegations seriously."

"Please be assured that the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA is my top priority," the statement concluded.

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