eauty pageants in the United States aren’t known to be the most inclusive though recently two Latinas made history and now both have decided to resign. Last year, UmaSofia Srivastava became the first Indian-Mexican contestant to be crowned Miss Teen USA, as well as the second consecutive titleholder of Indian descent. This week, she abruptly announced her resignation from her title because her “personal values no longer align with the direction of the organization,” according to her Instagram post. The move comes just two days after Miss USA Noelia Voigt, who was the first Venezuelan American winner, also gave up her title, citing personal and mental health issues. The Miss USA organization has supported both winners’ decisions but the consecutive resignations have raised questions from fans about what was going on behind the scenes, ABC News reported.
“After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023. 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,” Srivastava wrote on Instagram. “At the end of the day, I am so lucky to have had the privilege of this experience, but if this is just a chapter, I know that the story of my life will truly be incredible.”
Source: Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, First Mexican-Indian American to Win, Resigns – HipLatina