Army Officer Crowned New Miss USA After Recent Controversy
Following a three-month period of controversy and swirling rumors, a new winner for the Miss USA competition has been chosen. Michigan’s Alma Cooper became the third person to hold the title just this year after two former winners stepped down from their duties.
The newest title-holder, Cooper, has shared her amazing win is a dream. Amid her crowning, Cooper said, “As the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro Latina woman and an officer of the United States Army, I am living the American dream.” She continued, “If there’s anything that my life and my mother have taught me, it’s that your circumstances never define your destiny: You can make success accessible through demanding excellence.”
The Miss USA competition occurred on Sunday night as Cooper was crowned by former titleholder, Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii. Gankiewicz only received her tiara in May after the 2023 winner stepped back from her duties.
Why did Miss USA 2023 step down from her duties?
Noelia Voigt of Utah, who was the winner of the 2023 competition, recently stepped down from her duties as Miss USA in May 2024, which sparked major controversy. Voigt, who was crowned in September 2023, shared her decision to resign to her Instagram.
In the caption of her post, Voigt explained, “I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.” She continued, “Our health is our wealth. A million thank you’s to all of you for your constant and unwavering support. Time to write the next chapter. I hope you’ll stick around to see what’s next ??.”
While the post was heartfelt and expressed concerns of mental health, fans of Voigt were quick to point out that the first letter of every sentence spelled out, “I am silenced."
After she announced her decision, Voigt was questioned as to why she was resigning. The former Miss USA shared another post, explaining she was “constrained by a non-disclosure agreement.”
All about Voigt’s resignation letter
Later, her resignation letter addressed some of her concerns. She wrote in her letter, “There is a toxic work environment within the Miss USA organization that, at best, is poor management and, at worst, is bullying and harassment…This started soon after winning the title of Miss USA 2023.”
She explained that she felt CEO and President Laylah Rose was unnecessarily aggressive and that things had to be her way, as well as failing to take an instance of sexual harassment seriously.
Chance Yeh / Stringer / Getty
“It’s incredibly jarring to be trying to do my job and constantly be threatened with disciplinary action, including taking away my salary.” Voigt’s accusations against Rose continued as she heard the CEO was “weaponizing” her struggles with mental health.
Rose responded to Voigt’s was claims in a statement, explaining that her main priority was the “well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA.” She 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.”
Another former pageant winner also stepped down
Not only did the 2023 Miss USA pageant winner step down from her role, but another member of the organization resigned from her duties. 2023 Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, announced she would be relinquishing her crown. Srivastava, age 17, announced her decision just days after Voigt’s.
The former Miss Teen USA posted a statement to Instagram announcing her decision. In the caption, Srivastava wrote, “Thank you to everyone who has supported me these past two years, it has truly been an honor to represent you all.”
The Miss USA social media director, Claudia Michelle, also announced she would be stepping down from her role, writing, “Having not signed any contracts or NDA’s, I feel as if I am in the position to speak on what I have witnessed.”
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