The new Miss USA 2023 has been announced following the shock resignation of former titleholder Noelia Voigt.
“The Miss USA Organization is thrilled to announce that Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz is Miss USA 2023,” the organization wrote in a statement on social media posted on Thursday, May 9. “She will be crowned in her home state of Hawaii at a coronation celebration on Wednesday, May 15.”
“I accept the crown knowing that I have been uplifted by my supporters, family, friends and the people of Hawaii throughout this journey. I accept this title on their behalf,” Gankiewicz said in a statement, which also addressed Voigt’s resignation.
She added: “I fully support and respect Noelia’s decision to step down and stand in solidarity with mental health awareness.”
In a separate statement posted on her own Instagram account, Gankiewicz emphasized that “my decision to accept the Miss USA crown was not taken lightly.”
“I stand by Noelia and admire her strength,” she added. “Noelia, it was the honor of my life to share the stage with you during your crowning moment and I wish you all the best in your next chapter.”
Savannah Gankiewicz.
Marc Patrick/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Noelia Voigt ‘overwhelmed’ by support after resigning as Miss USA, will focus on being an ‘advocate for mental health awareness’ (Exclusive)
In her Instagram post announcing her decision to step down, Voigt, 24, cited the importance of mental health.
“I realize this may come as a big shock to many,” she wrote in a post shared on Monday, May 6. “Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.”
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“In life, I really appreciate the importance of making decisions that are best for you and your mental health,” the statement read. “My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride and later the USA at Miss Universe. Unfortunately, I have made the very difficult decision to relinquish the title of Miss USA 2023.”
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Noelia Voigt.
Paul Archuleta/Getty
Two days after Voigt’s resignation, Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava announced that she too was resigning because her “personal values are no longer fully aligned with the direction of the organization.”
Speaking to PEOPLE on Thursday, Voigt said that while the couple is “very, very, close,” Srivastava’s resignation surprised her.
“I actually didn’t know he was going to do that. It was surprising,” she said.
Why are Miss USA and Miss Teen USA stepping down? Everything you need to know about their resignations
Prior to both resignations, another Miss USA organization employee, the director of social media, also resigned from her position. In a statement, she claimed that the organization did not support her role or show enough respect for the title holders.
“I feel the way the current administration is talking about their title holders is unprofessional and inappropriate,” she wrote in a statement on Instagram, “I renounce workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind.”
In a previous statement to PEOPLE, Miss USA CEO and President Laylah Rose said, “All along, my personal goal as head of this organization has been to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore them all, and continue to preserve integrity on way,”
“I hold myself to the same high standards and take these allegations seriously,” Rose added. “Please be assured that the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA is my top priority.”
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Source: HIS Education