Miss USA pageant comes under scrutiny as Miss Teen USA steps down after Miss USA. Know the inside story

What is wrong with the Miss USA pageant? Days after 72nd Miss USA Noelia Voigt stepped down citing personal mental health as the reason, Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava has quit. The New Jersey native took to Instagram Wednesday to announce her decision. She said that she was stepping down from Miss USA because "my values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization."

UmaSofia Srivastava steps down

The 17-year-old girl wrote in the post, "Thank you to everyone who has supported me these past two years, it has truly been an honor to represent you all. While this was certainly not how I saw my reign coming to a close, I am excited to continue my advocacy for education and acceptance, start applying to colleges, and share some exciting new projects on That’s Fan Behavior with those of you who plan to stick around."

Miss USA pageant under scrutiny

With the stepping down of the reigning Miss USA and Miss Teen USA within a few days, the pageants' parent organization has come under the microscope. Its problem got complicated particularly because the young women cited mental health and differences in values as their reasons. These women have stepped down just days after an employee of the Miss USA organization, which was created in 1952 and owned for a time by Donald Trump, quit, citing "workplace toxicity" and claiming the two titleholders were mistreated.

Claudia Michelle quits

Earlier on May 3, Claudia Michelle, Miss USA's social media director, resigned, claiming in an Instagram post that she had worked without compensation for two months. She also said that she was not given proper staff, and management disrespected the winners.

Michelle said she had "firsthand seen the disrespect toward Uma and her family." She wrote, "I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind.

FAQs

Why did Miss Teen USA step down?
Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava said in an Instagram post that she was stepping down from Miss USA because "my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization."

Who is Claudia Michelle and why did she quit?
Claudia Michelle, Miss USA's social media director, resigned, claiming in an Instagram post that she had worked without compensation for two months. She also said that she was not given proper staff, and management disrespected the winners.