Miss USA Replacement Wants To ‘Uplift The Organization’ Amid ‘Toxic Workplace’ Accusations

Savannah Gankiewicz, who was topped Miss USA 2023 following Noelia Voigt‘s resignation, desires to “uplift” the group.

This comes after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt accused the Miss USA Group of making a “poisonous work atmosphere.”

Earlier this yr, Voigt wrote an eight-page resignation letter.  “Sadly, I’ve made the powerful choice to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023,” she wrote. “I’m grateful for the love and help of the followers, outdated and new, my household, my mates, my coaches, former state and native administrators, and my darling beloved Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia.”

“Lifelong friendships and connections that I had the chance to make alongside the way in which whereas attending completely different occasions and competing at state pageants, Miss USA [and] Miss Universe are invaluable issues that I shall be eternally grateful for,” she continued.

She then claimed: “There’s a poisonous work atmosphere inside the Miss USA group that, at greatest, is poor administration and, at worst, is bullying and harassment.”

“It is necessary that I make this abundantly clear: the toll that this remedy, expertise, and abuse has taken on me may have long-lasting impacts on my well being. That is, sadly, not one thing that may magically disappear,” she continued in her resignation letter. “I do know the cruel actuality of that truth, and I cannot proceed to permit myself to really feel victimized anymore.”

Two days after Voigt’s resignation, Srivastava introduced her choice to assert the title, sharing that her “private values now not totally align with the route of the group.”

She additional advised PEOPLE Magazine, “I undoubtedly am very empathetic towards the previous title holders, and I am so glad that the previous title holder is getting … assist.”

“This can be a enormous alternative and a accountability and I am simply so honored that I used to be capable of take this place as Miss USA.” she advised the journal. “And I actually, actually hope that I can actually uplift this group and preserve it going as a result of that is one thing that I actually consider in.”

She then stated she desires to “have the ability to use my voice and unfold consciousness” about necessary issues similar to to advocating in regards to the lethal Maui wildfires. “Not solely that, all the brand new women coming within the class of 2024, they need to have a Miss USA and I simply wish to be right here and to help them,” she added.

She additionally spoke to CNN, claiming that “whereas this choice was not made frivolously, I firmly consider that this chance was meant for me and I’m able to make a optimistic impression with this group that I maintain expensive to my coronary heart.”

“I’m devoted to taking motion and making a distinction. With my background as a licensed psychological well being first help responder and coaching in anti-bullying suicide prevention, I perceive, the significance of prioritizing your well-being and advocating for these in want,” she added. “I consider that the true change begins from inside and I’m decided to steer by instance and empower the category of 2024 and past.”

Gankiewicz beforehand opened up about Voigt’s resignation in an Instagram assertion.“I totally help and respect Noelia’s choice to step down, and I stand in solidarity with psychological well being consciousness,” she stated.

“I settle for the crown realizing that I’ve been uplifted by my supporters, household, mates, and the folks of Hawaii all through this journey. I settle for this title on their behalf.”

The Miss USA Group and Layla Rose issued an announcement following the information.

“We respect and help Noelia’s choice to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a high precedence, and we perceive her must prioritize herself at the moment,” they wrote of their joint assertion.

“We’re at the moment reviewing plans for the transition of tasks to a successor, and we are going to quickly announce the crowning of the brand new Miss USA.”

In case you or somebody you realize requires psychological well being help, textual content “STRENGTH” to 741-741 to achieve a licensed disaster counselor via the Disaster Textual content Line.