From Business Insider · · 4m
Miss USA's Crown and the NDA that silenced her
Noelia Voigt became the first Miss USA to give up her crown, citing mental health. Her resignation revealed allegations of abuse under the pageant's leadership.
In brief
Noelia Voigt became the first Miss USA to give up her crown, citing mental health. Her resignation revealed allegations of abuse under the pageant's leadership. Noelia Voigt resigned as Miss USA in May 2024, the first to relinquish the crown, after alleging abuse under CEO Laylah Rose. Miss Universe sued Rose in…
Seven years to the crown
Noelia Voigt spent seven years competing in pageants before winning Miss USA in September 2023. She placed first runner-up three times at state pageants before reaching the national stage.
Raised on pageants in Florida
Voigt was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. Her mother, Jackeline Voigt, is from Venezuela, where pageants are hugely popular. Her father, Jack Voigt, is a former Major League Baseball player.
A protective mother's wisdom
Voigt asked to compete in pageants before age ten, but her mother made her wait. She wanted Voigt old enough to understand that not winning was not a reflection of who she was.
“Depending on the pageant that you're entering at that age, it can be potentially damaging to a young girl if they don't end up winning.”
First pageant at sixteen
Voigt was named Miss Sarasota Teen USA in 2017 at age sixteen. She competed at Miss Florida Teen USA that year and placed first runner-up.
Friends turned against her
When Voigt began competing, friends made fun of her new passion.She was hurt but realised they were trying to steal her joy.She made anti-bullying her platform and wrote a children's book called Maddie the BRAVE.
“I was really hurt and confused as to why people I thought were my friends were making fun of me.”
Pageants saved her from abuse
Voigt told Business Insider that pageants helped her escape an abusive relationship in high school. Being surrounded by uplifting women who knew their worth helped her realise she was being held back.
“Pageants absolutely helped me realize my worth.”
Two runner-up finishes in Alabama
Voigt moved to Alabama for school and competed in Miss Alabama 2022 and Miss Alabama 2023, placing first runner-up both times. She told Business Insider she was proud of the placements.
“Every year that I hadn't won the pageant, it gave me another year of opportunity to do good things for my community.”
Finally wins Miss Utah
Voigt moved to Salt Lake City in April 2023 and won Miss Utah 2023 three months later. This victory qualified her for the Miss USA stage, her long-held dream.
Crowned Miss USA in Reno
Voigt was crowned Miss USA on September 29, 2023, at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. She was the first Venezuelan-American and first Miss Utah to win since 1960.
“This is something I've worked toward for a really long time. It's been a journey of perseverance and not giving up.”
Top twenty at Miss Universe
Voigt competed at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador, where she placed in the top twenty. Her reign as Miss USA was set to end in 2024.
Resigns after eight months
On May 6, 2024, Voigt announced she was stepping down as Miss USA to focus on her mental health. Her Instagram statement contained a hidden message: I AM SILENCED.
“I AM SILENCED”
Teen USA queen also resigns
Two days after Voigt's resignation, Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava resigned as well. Both said they were silenced by strict nondisclosure agreements signed under CEO Laylah Rose, who took over in August 2023.
Mothers allege torture and abuse
Jackeline Voigt and Barbara Srivastava told Business Insider their daughters endured eight months of torture and abuse from Rose. Noelia Voigt was prescribed two anti-anxiety medications during her reign.
“The woman who was supposed to be all about empowering and bringing women together and pushing them to speak for their causes and charities, she did quite the opposite.”
Sexual harassment and unpaid costs
In October 2025, Miss Universe sued Laylah Rose's company, VVV Global Ent.The lawsuit alleged Rose failed to provide a chaperone when Voigt was sexually harassed during an official appearance.
Still bound by silence
Rose has denied the allegations and filed a counterclaim. The case remains ongoing. Voigt told Business Insider in October 2025 she hopes Miss Universe will release her from her nondisclosure agreement so she can tell…
“It's my life and my story. This shackle on me, it would feel nice to have it lifted.”
Returns to pageants under new leadership
Voigt has returned to the Miss USA organisation since Thom Brodeur replaced Rose in September 2025. She co-hosted Miss Teen USA 2026 in August and is currently attending nursing school.
“I'm so grateful for my whole journey. And that we're coming at this full-circle moment and getting to close our chapters with grace.”
The takeaway
Noelia Voigt resigned as Miss USA in May 2024, the first to relinquish the crown, after alleging abuse under CEO Laylah Rose. Miss Universe sued Rose in October 2025.
