Former Miss Utah resigns as Miss USA; former pageant competitor reflects on pressures
May 7, 2024, 9:00 PM
Miss USA Noelia Voigt poses during the The 72nd Miss Universe Competition press junket at Gimnasio Nacional Jose Adolfo Pineda on November 17, 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — On Monday, Utah’s first crowned Miss USA, formerly Miss Utah USA, Noelia Voigt announced her resignation.
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She posted to Instagram that she values the importance of making decisions focused on mental health.
“As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about ourselves,” she said. “My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride … Sadly I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.”
The toll competing takes
One former Utah pageant competitor, Katie Jameson, said she has seen pageant life take a huge toll on those in the industry.
“I’m sure a lot of other women can relate, that they feel like they have to continuously change the way that they look, or the way their body looks, or get things done to be able to be seen as competitive and beautiful in this industry,” she said.
Jameson competed for Miss Teen USA, the younger version of the Miss USA pageant.
She told KSL NewsRadio that the external pressures of competition can often be too much to handle. Jameson said that the pageant world adds lots of pressures the rest of the population does not face.
“After the first one, where it’s all fun and games, [it becomes] ‘I want to win. I want these opportunities, surprise packages, the social media … It’s very easy to start putting a lot of pressure on yourself.”
Being judged, by panels and the world, can lead to a lot of self image issues, she said. Social media adds even more pressure, with the constant barrage of bullying and negative comments that comes with a platform.
“You understand all of the things you’re taking on as a title holder. [But] sometimes [outside] people don’t understand those. That’s how it can get so far that we have a title resignation — nobody can be prepared for so much hate, harassments and bullying online,” she said.
But, she added that a support system can make all the difference. She said the right coaches, friends and supporters can truly make or break your pageant experience.
