UmaSofia Srivastava, the current Miss Teen USA, shocked the pageant world by giving up her crown just two days after winning the prestigious title. This surprising decision comes hot on the heels of Miss USA Noelia Voigt also relinquishing her title, citing mental health reasons.
In a heartfelt statement shared on her official social media handle, the 17-year-old UmaSofia explained her reasons for stepping down. She expressed that her personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization but assured her followers that she will continue to advocate for education and acceptance.
UmaSofia, who is of Mexican-Indian American descent, expressed gratitude for the support she received from her family, state directors, sister queens, and fans. She fondly recalled her time as Miss NJ Teen USA and highlighted the fulfillment she experienced representing her state at the national level.
The former pageant winner revealed her plans to focus on completing her junior year in high school as part of the National Honor Society and kickstart the college application process. She emphasized that her academic achievements have been the result of her hard work alone.
The organizers of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants issued a joint statement expressing their support for both UmaSofia and Noelia Voigt. They emphasized that the well-being of their titleholders is a top priority and acknowledged the importance of prioritizing self-care.
The unexpected back-to-back resignations of these two young beauty queens have sparked conversations about mental health and self-care in the competitive world of pageantry.