Noelia Voigt, the first Miss USA from Utah to be crowned in 50 years and the first Venezuelan-American to ever earn the title, is giving up her crown.
Voigt announced her decision to resign Monday morning on Instagram, saying that the news “may come as a large shock to many” but was made to protect her “physical and mental well-being.”
“In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health,” Voigt wrote in a lengthy note posted to social media. “Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.”
Voigt, 24, was crowned Miss USA last September. She had moved to Utah the previous April to represent the state in the pageant; a little over a month later, Voigt competed in Miss Universe. Pageantry is a fundamental part of Venezuelan culture, and the Florida-born Venezuelan-American told The Tribune in October she was proud to honor her roots. But, she said, she was not representing Venezuela.
“I am very much Miss USA,” she said shortly after her win.
In a response posted on Instagram, the Miss USA organization said it respects and supports Voigt’s decision to step down.
“The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time,” the organization wrote.
Miss USA will name a successor soon, the organization said. Hawaii’s Savannah Gankiewicz was the first runner-up in the 2023 pageant.
The Miss USA crown comes with responsibilities, including media obligations and advocacy. In her resignation announcement, Voigt said her favorite part of the experience was working with Smile Train, the nonprofit that helps children born with cleft palates. She also cited her work “being a fervent advocate for anti-bullying, dating violence awareness and prevention, immigration rights and reform, and shedding light on my roots as the first Venezuelan-American woman to win Miss USA.”
“Never could I have imagined the journey that my childhood dream would take me on,” she wrote.
Shannon Sollitt is a Report for America corps member covering business accountability and sustainability for The Salt Lake Tribune. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by clicking here.
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