For the past 100 years, beauty pageants have symbolized society’s definition of femininity and glamour. Uniting women from around the country, pageants such as Miss USA feature evening gown events, on-stage interviews and swimsuit competitions. While some believe these pageants are celebrations of empowerment, others believe they reduce women to their appearances. Over the years, viewership has declined, and scandals have plagued the pageant world. This raises the question … do beauty pageants still have a place in today’s society?
Miss USA Favoritism Scandal
The Miss USA pageant faced backlash in 2022 due to allegations of favoritism. R’Bonney Gabriel of Texas made history as the first Filipina-American to win Miss USA. However, viewers noticed that, instead of congratulating the winner, the remaining contestants abruptly walked off the stage. Audiences originally believed these contestants were disappointed with the results. Soon after, rumors of a rigged competition began to surface.
The contestants took their concerns to social media, claiming that Gabriel was allowed a special walking pattern on the stage, different than the choreographed routine taught to the rest of the group. They also claimed that her coach was allowed to sit in during rehearsals, which is a violation of the rules.
These allegations led many to question the integrity of the competition.
Resignations
In May 2024, Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava both resigned from their titles, sparking controversy in the pageant world.
Voigt did not explicitly explain why she resigned, instead encouraging readers not to “compromise your physical and mental well-being.” Her announcement post went viral as many fans noticed the first letters of each of her sentences spelled: “I am silenced.”
Sources close to Voigt have reported that her mental health spiraled after winning her title, only worsened by a flurry of harassing and threatening emails from pageant organizers. Additionally, sources claim that Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose took control of Voigt’s Instagram account and often published posts impersonating her.
Voigt revealed that she was sexually harassed by a man at a Christmas parade in Sarasota, Florida, but her allegations were dismissed by the company. In a letter written by Voigt to the Miss USA organization, she calls for the termination of Rose as CEO, explaining that she is creating a culture of fear that is dangerous for contestants and employees.
Voigt is the first Miss USA to voluntarily step down from her title since the pageant began in 1952.
Two days later, Miss Teen USA Srivastava resigned, stating that her personal values no longer aligned with the brand. Bullying from CEO Laylah Rose allegedly got so severe that Srivastava’s parents did not allow Rose to speak to Srvistava.
There is an urgent need for intervention at the leadership level. – Insider Source
However, Srivastava and Voigt were not the only ones to resign from the Miss USA organization. Social media director Claudia Michelle quit her role due to not being paid for the first two months of work. After her resignation, Michelle also claimed that Srvisatava and Voigt were “unable to share about their personal advocacies on social media,” and that their roles had taken a toll on their happiness.
I feel the way current management speaks about their titleholders is unprofessional and inappropriate; I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind. – Claudia Michelle on Instagram
New Beginnings
In September 2025, Rose was officially replaced due to the damaging allegations, which had led to negative publicity around the organization.
Businessman Thom Brodeur acquired the rights to Miss USA and Miss Teen USA in a 10-year deal. In an interview with People, Brodeur explained that there was a strict NDA restriction against Voigt and Srivastava and he intends to eliminate these restrictions.
Leadership is not the only aspect of the organization changing. Miss USA is also aiming to embrace inclusivity and greater representation. In the 2025 competition, over a dozen of the contestants were over age 30. This is much different than the traditional Miss USA rule, which usually limits contestants to age 28 and under.
On Oct. 24, Audrey Eckert of Nebraska was crowned Miss USA 2025. Next month, Eckert will join over 100 contestants from around the world to compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand.
What is your opinion on the Miss USA scandals? Tag us, @VALLEYmag, and let us know!
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