Miss Hawaii is taking over as Miss USA following Noelia Voigt's historic resignation

Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii. Courtesy of Miss USA.

• Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz is taking over as Miss USA.
• Miss USA Noelia Voigt resigned from the position on Monday, citing her mental health.
• Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava also gave up her crown on Wednesday.

Miss USA has found a replacement for Noelia Voigt.

Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in September after representing Utah in the competition, announced her resignation on Monday. She is the first Miss USA in the pageant’s 72-year history to voluntarily give up the crown.

On Thursday, the pageant announced Miss Hawaii Savannah Gakiewicz would replace Voigt.

Savannah Gankiewicz will be the new Miss USA 2023

Miss USA revealed Gankiewicz’s appointment in the caption of an Instagram photo, saying the organization was “thrilled to announce that Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz is Miss USA 2023.”

“She will be crowned in her native state of Hawaii in a celebratory coronation on Wednesday, May 15,” the post said.

Gankiewicz, a model, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, was the first runner-up in the pageant in the fall.

The caption also included a quote from Miss USA’s CEO and president, Laylah Rose.

“We are proud to crown Savannah Miss USA 2023. A true representation of vision, intelligence, and compassion,” Rose said. “Her dedication to empowering women through self-love and confidence is inspiring, and we look forward to her impactful reign as Miss USA.”

Gankiewicz announced her appointment on her Instagram, thanking followers who sent her messages that “ensured me that accepting the title is the right thing to do.”

“Please know that my decision to accept the Miss USA crown was not one that was made lightly,” she wrote. “I stand with Noelia and admire her strength to step down and prioritize her mental health.”

Gankiewicz also said she hopes to use her title to help Lahaina, a town on Maui that was damaged in wildfires in 2023, while she holds the crown.

Miss USA faced a slew of resignations after a tumultuous 2023

On Monday, Voigt released a lengthy statement on Instagram to share her resignation, alongside a caption addressing the surprising nature of her announcement.

“I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being,” Voigt said in the caption. “Our health is our wealth. A million thank you’s to all of you for your constant and unwavering support. Time to write the next chapter. I hope you’ll stick around to see what’s next.”

Following Voigt’s announcement, a spokesperson for Miss USA said the organization supports her decision in a statement shared with BI.

“The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time,” the statement said. “The organization is currently 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.”

Voigt’s resignation alone was surprising, but on Wednesday, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava also gave up her crown.

In a statement on Instagram, Srivasta, who represented New Jersey in the Miss Teen USA pageant, said she was resigning “after months of grappling with the decision” because her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”

Following Srivasta’s announcement, Rose said in a statement shared with BI that her goal is “to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore it all, and continue to preserve integrity along the way.”

She added: “I hold myself to these same high standards and I take these allegations seriously. Please be assured that the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA is my top priority.”

Voigt and Srivasta’s resignations followed that of Miss USA’s social-media manager, Claudia Michelle. In an Instagram announcement about her resignation on Friday, Michelle pointed to the organization’s treatment of both titleholders as a reason she quit.

“I don’t believe in taking sides. I believe in telling the truth,” she wrote in her statement. “I believe Noelia and Uma’s mental health and happiness has taken a toll and I cannot remain silent about that.”

The mass exodus comes on the heels of a volatile year for Miss USA.

Contestants accused the organization of rigging the 2022 competition in Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel’s favor. She went on to win Miss Universe in January 2023.

It was also uncovered that Max Sebrechts had quietly stepped down as vice president following allegations he sexually harassed contestants during the Miss USA 2021 pageant. Sebrechts denied the allegations in a statement sent to BI at the time.

Crystle Stewart, Sebrechts’ wife, was replaced by Rose as president of the organization in August 2023.

Do you work for the Miss USA organization or have an experience to share about pageants? Reach out to this reporter at [email protected].

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