Miss USA steps down: ‘Never compromise your physical and mental well-being’

(The Hill) — The woman who holds the title of Miss USA says she’s giving up her crown, citing her “physical and mental well-being” in an announcement about her resignation.

Noelia Voigt, who last September became the first Venezuelan-American to win the Miss USA competition, acknowledged in an Instagram post on Monday that news that she was stepping down “may come as a large shock to many.”

“In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health,” Voigt, 24, said. 

While Voigt, a former Miss Utah USA title holder, said she considered her time as the pageant’s winner “incredibly meaningful,” she wrote, “Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.”

The anti-bullying advocate didn’t elaborate on any reasons for the move, but expressed gratitude for the platform she was given “to make a difference.”

Representatives for the Miss USA pageant didn’t immediately return ITK’s request for comment.

The pageant, first held in 1952, celebrates “beauty, intelligence and empowerment,” according to its website. Before entering politics, former President Trump owned the competition from 1996 to 2015.

“Deep down I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me,” Voigt said about the move, “and my hope is that I continue to inspire others to remain steadfast, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain.”