CELEBRITY
Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt Stepping Down To Focus On Mental Health
Miss USA
Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt is stepping down from her role to focus on her mental health.
Voigt shared the news in an Instagram post on Monday, acknowledging that it 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, she wrote. My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe. Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.
Voigt, 24, did not share any details about that state of her mental health, but thanked her supporters and reflected on her time wearing the crown.
I am grateful for the love and support of the fans, old and new, my family, my friends, my coaches, former state and local directors, and my darling beloved Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia, she wrote.
She also said she would be forever grateful for the lifelong friendships and connections she made along the way.
Every time someone asked me what my favorite part of being Miss USA was, I would always share with them how much I loved getting to work with Smile Train, being a fervent advocate for anti-bullying, dating violence awareness and prevention, immigration rights and reform, and shedding light on my roots as the first Venezuelan-American woman to win Miss USA, she said.
Never could I have imagined the journey that my childhood dream would take me on. Constant and consistent hard work and dedication all lead me to where I am today, and I hope that over the last seven years of competing in pageantry and sharing my journey with you all is something that inspires you to never give up on your dreams, whatever they may be, she said.
Deep down I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me, 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, she said.
How I wish I could hug all of you. I love you all with all of my heart and always will, she said.
Voigt was crowned in September last year. The Miss USA organization said in a statement it is reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor and an announcement regarding the crowning of the new Miss USA will be coming soon.
TMX contributed to this article.
