In May 2024, the Miss USA Organization experienced an unprecedented event when both reigning titleholders—Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava—resigned within days of each other. These high-profile departures, both citing mental health concerns and organizational issues, have brought attention to the relationship between workplace environments and psychological well-being. The incident has sparked discussions about organizational responsibility, mental health advocacy, and the pressures faced by individuals in public-facing roles.
The Resignations and Their Stated Reasons
Noelia Voigt, the 24-year-old Venezuelan American who was crowned Miss USA in September 2023, announced her resignation on Instagram seven months into her reign. In her statement, she emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health, writing, "In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health. As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about ourselves." Voigt expressed gratitude for having had the platform to speak about social issues including anti-bullying, dating violence, immigration rights and reforms, and her heritage as the first Venezuelan American woman to hold the crown.
Two days later, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava announced her own resignation on Instagram, citing that her personal values "no longer fully align" with those of the organization. Srivastava wrote, "In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health. As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about myself."
These resignations marked the first time in the organization's 70-year history that both the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders stepped down simultaneously.
Allegations of a Toxic Work Environment
According to reports, Voigt detailed numerous issues in an 8-page resignation letter obtained by NBC News. She described a "toxic work environment" characterized by bullying and harassment. Specifically, Voigt claimed she would "constantly be threatened with disciplinary action, including taking away my salary, for things that were never discussed with me and, if it related to a public-facing post for example, were causing no issue other than not meeting (Rose's) personal preference." As a result of these experiences, Voigt reported that she was diagnosed with anxiety.
A former social media director for the organization, Claudia Engelhardt, resigned shortly before the titleholders and corroborated many of these allegations. Engelhardt claimed that leadership showed "disrespect" toward both Voigt and Srivastava and that their concerns about mental health and an incident of sexual harassment went unheeded. "This stepping down of Noelia and Uma is a direct response to the current ownership and current management of the Miss USA brand," Engelhardt stated. "They are the ones that are responsible for Noelia and Uma's mental health decline."
Further allegations emerged regarding how the organization treated Voigt, whose platform was not widely promoted according to Lara Hakamaki, director of corporate development for Michigan Psychological Care and Miss Congeniality 2023 and 2024 in the Miss Michigan USA pageant. Hakamaki noted that for those who've participated in the Miss USA world, the recent resignations weren't a total shock. "Noelia had this light about her. You could feel warmth from her and all of a sudden things started turning, or even in her smile you could see that sometimes it just wasn't shining as bright. You could tell that she was struggling," she told Reckon.
Organizational Response and Leadership Issues
In response to Srivastava's resignation, Miss USA CEO and President Laylah Rose issued a statement that read, "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 continued, "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."
Following Voigt's resignation, the Miss USA Pageant released a statement indicating they respected and supported her decision: "We respect and support former Miss USA Noelia Voigt's decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time." The organization noted they were reviewing plans for "the transition of responsibilities to a successor."
Voigt's resignation letter reportedly contained specific charges against Rose, including one that accused the CEO of overlooking a sexual harassment complaint she made. "Every statement you have ever put out about MUO's morals and integrity directly contradicts what is happening within the USA organization," Voigt reportedly wrote in the letter.
Broader Context and Similar Cases
The Miss USA resignations are not isolated incidents in the broader landscape of mental health advocacy. Voigt was noted to be among several high-profile individuals who have paused their duties or careers due to mental health concerns, including athletes like gymnast Simone Biles, tennis player Naomi Osaka, and swimmer Caeleb Dressel. Similarly, actor Pete Davidson took a break to address struggles related to PTSD, and Texas Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County's top political leader, temporarily stepped away last year to prioritize treatment for depression.
This pattern of public figures prioritizing mental health has contributed to reducing stigma around mental health discussions and has highlighted the importance of organizational support systems for maintaining psychological well-being.
The Role of Organizational Culture in Mental Health
The Miss USA case illustrates how organizational culture and leadership can significantly impact the mental health of individuals within that system. When organizational environments are perceived as toxic, unsupportive, or misaligned with personal values, the psychological toll can be substantial. Research in occupational psychology has consistently shown that workplace factors—including leadership style, organizational support, and work environment—contribute significantly to employee mental health outcomes.
In the case of Miss USA, multiple stakeholders reported observing signs of Voigt's declining mental health, suggesting that organizational leadership either failed to recognize these warning signs or chose not to address them appropriately. The reported allegations of bullying, harassment, and disciplinary actions based on personal preferences rather than professional standards further illustrate how organizational practices can undermine psychological well-being.
Mental Health in High-Pressure Roles
Individuals in high-profile positions often face unique mental health challenges, including intense public scrutiny, performance pressure, and the expectation to maintain a particular image. These factors can exacerbate underlying mental health conditions or contribute to new ones, as may have been the case with Voigt's reported anxiety diagnosis.
The Miss USA resignations highlight the importance of recognizing that mental health concerns can affect anyone, regardless of external success or achievement. By stepping down, both Voigt and Srivastava demonstrated self-awareness and prioritized their psychological well-being over professional obligations—a decision that mental health professionals increasingly encourage.
Organizational Responsibility and Mental Health Support
The incident raises important questions about organizational responsibility for the mental health of participants or employees. When organizations fail to provide adequate support, address reported concerns, or maintain healthy work environments, they may contribute to negative mental health outcomes for those involved.
In therapeutic settings, mental health professionals often emphasize the importance of creating safe, supportive environments for healing and growth. The same principle applies to organizations, where supportive leadership, clear communication channels, and responsive grievance procedures can help prevent psychological harm.
The Importance of Speaking Out About Mental Health
Voigt and Srivastava's public statements about their mental health struggles, despite potential contractual restrictions, have contributed to broader conversations about mental health advocacy. Their fellow contestants from the 2023 pageant jointly called for the organization "to release Noelia from the confidentiality NDA clause of her contract, in perpetuity, so that she is free to speak on her experiences and time as Miss USA."
This push for transparency aligns with growing recognition that open discussion about mental health issues is essential for reducing stigma and promoting understanding. When individuals in positions of influence speak openly about their mental health challenges, it can empower others to prioritize their own well-being.
Conclusion
The simultaneous resignations of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA highlight the critical relationship between organizational environments and mental health well-being. The allegations of a toxic work environment, bullying, and harassment underscore how organizational culture can significantly impact psychological health. The incident serves as a reminder that mental health concerns can affect anyone, regardless of external success, and that organizations have a responsibility to create supportive environments for their participants and employees.
The case also illustrates the importance of mental health advocacy and the power of individuals prioritizing their psychological well-being, even when it means stepping away from prestigious positions or significant opportunities. As mental health awareness continues to grow, organizations across all sectors may benefit from examining their own cultures, leadership practices, and support systems to ensure they are promoting rather than undermining psychological well-being.