(NewsNation) — In what was reportedly a coordinated move, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and the organization’s social media director all resigned this month.
Social media director Claudia Michelle called the organization’s treatment of its titleholders “unprofessional and inappropriate.”
“I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
Miss USA Noelia Voigt stepped down Monday. The 24-year-old from Utah said she wanted to focus on her mental health. The Miss USA Organization quickly issued a statement of support, mentioning respect for her decision.
On Wednesday, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava quit, saying her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.” The 17-year-old high school junior from New Jersey was the pageant’s first Mexican American winner.
The New York Post cites a source who said Srivastava’s dealings with the Miss USA Organization got so bad her parents refused to let the group’s president, Laylah Rose, speak to their daughter.
Voigt’s resignation letter thanked her supporters and noted her pride in being the first Venezuelan American to win the crown, but a fan pointed out that the first letter of every sentence in Voigt’s letter spelled out, “I AM SILENCED.”
The Post’s source says the organization micromanaged the women’s lives, frequently and forcefully reminding them of their non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and the organization’s right to approve every appearance they made. The source also says the women were not allowed to post directly on social media.
In a statement, Miss USA Organization CEO Laylah Rose said, “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.”
