"Abuse and Sexual Harassment Occurred"…Mother of Beauty Pageant Winner Who Returned Crown Reveals Allegations

"'There is harassment including slander as 'psycho' and sexual harassment'
Voices raised on behalf of parties under confidentiality agreements"

As winners of American beauty pageants have consecutively returned their crowns, their mothers have come forward, revealing that their daughters suffered abuse and bullying.

Miss Teen USA Uma Sophia Srivastava (left) and Miss USA Noelia Voight (right), selected last September. [Image source=New York Post capture]

On the 15th (local time), CNN reported, citing an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America," that the mothers of former Miss USA Noelia Voight (24) and former Miss Teen USA Umasophia Srivastava (17) made these claims. The mothers stated that they could no longer tolerate the hypocrisy of the Miss USA organization and spoke out on behalf of their daughters, who are bound by nondisclosure agreements with the Miss USA organization. They demanded an apology from Miss USA for the mistreatment and bullying their daughters endured. They also expressed concerns about participating in Miss USA for future contestants.

Previously, CNN obtained Voight's resignation letter from Miss USA, in which she claimed, "The worst was the bullying," and that Laila Rose, Miss USA President and CEO, called her a "psycho" and disparaged her in conversations with others. She also alleged that she was continuously threatened with disciplinary actions, including "salary withholding." Additionally, the Miss USA organization failed to provide promised accommodations and a car. At an event held in Sarasota, Florida, she was left alone in a car with an unknown man and claimed she was sexually harassed by him. Srivastava's side also stated that she experienced "abuse, bullying, and ostracism" during her reign as Miss Teen USA. However, the Miss USA organization has not responded to these allegations.

Meanwhile, on the 6th, Voight, who won Miss USA last September, suddenly announced she would return her crown citing mental health issues. Two days later, on the 8th, Miss Teen USA Srivastava also returned her crown. This was the first time in the 72-year history of the Miss USA pageant that such an event occurred. At the time, Srivastava indicated in a statement that her personal values no longer aligned with the organization's direction, suggesting conflicts with the Miss USA organization. The Miss USA crown is expected to be passed to the first runner-up, Savanna Gankievich from Hawaii, while the first runner-up for Miss Teen USA, Stephanie Skinner, has refused to assume the title, and discussions are ongoing regarding the whereabouts of the crown.