Miss Utah Noelia Voigt Wins Miss USA 2023

Voigt is the first American of Venezuelan descent to win the title of Miss Utah

The new Miss USA has been crowned!

Miss Utah Noelia Voigt was crowned Miss USA 2023 following Friday’s pageant at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.

Voigt beat out Miss Hawaii runner-up Savannah Gankiewicz and Miss Wisconsin runner-up Alexis Loomans for the coveted crown. Morgan Romano, who took the Miss USA 2022 title after original winner R’Bonney Gabriel won Miss Universe, handed Voigt her crown.

“The past seven years of my competitive journey have led me to this moment,” Voigt wrote on Instagram a few days before the competition. “I’m usually a little nervous before an interview, but right now I feel completely calm. I can’t wait to walk into that room, connect with the judges and show them 100% who Noelia is!”

Noelia Voigt has been crowned Miss USA 2023.

Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

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In July, Voigt considered becoming the first Venezuelan-American to be named Miss Utah.

“I’m honored to be the first Venezuelan-American to hold the title of Miss Utah USA and I’m really looking forward to breaking down barriers and bridging the gap between communities by being able to speak Spanish and connect with Utah’s large Hispanic population,” she wrote on Instagram.

At this year’s pageant, Laylah Rose became the new president of Miss USA.

Rose, a fashion designer and CEO of the VIP Pageantry television network, spoke with Insider ahead of Friday’s pageant to discuss some of the new changes.

The new president promised that in the future the round of swimsuits, evening dresses and interviews around the women evaluated will no longer equally represent 33 percent of their final votes.

Noelia Voigt has been crowned Miss USA 2023.

Miss USA/Instagram

Now the interview round counts as 50 percent, while the other two categories have dropped to 25.

“I came and wanted to highlight the delegates as individuals,” Rose told the outlet. “Just like getting a job or a career, you have to pass the interview to be accepted. That’s the most important part of the organization for me and I wanted to highlight that.”

“We’re not just parading on stage and wearing heels,” she continued. “We’re actually supporting our platforms and making waves and breaking glass ceilings in the world of philanthropy that we want to be in. I don’t think that component is as prominent, and that’s what I like to bring.”

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Another novelty is that the last question will not be political. “Those last 30 seconds that she’s on stage – let her have her moment.”

The presiding president also implemented the use of Tally Genie — a voting system that is “the premier tabulation and audit software solution for the election industry.”

Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel.

Jason Kempin/Getty

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In 2022, several contestants claimed the pageant was rigged in favor of Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel — the first Filipina-American woman to be crowned Miss USA.

“The current allegations are based on perception, not truth,” Gabriel said in a statement to PEOPLE. – I would never want to participate in a fixed competition.

The controversy continued after Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe 2022. At the time, the organization denied allegations of rigging and suggested the “absurd” claims “distracted from the incredible milestones our organization and delegates experienced” over the weekend, according to Today.

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Speaking to PEOPLE after the pageant, Gabriel said she feels “totally ready for whatever comes my way” as Miss Universe, including the haters.

“This is an opportunity to show the world [that] even when negativity comes your way — I think we all experience a little internet hate here and there — don’t let it get to you. And I think this is a great opportunity for me to set an example,” she said.

The Texas native also said she hopes her journey to the crown has inspired others “to believe in themselves” and follow their dreams.

“It took me three years to get to this point, to work every day non-stop,” Gabriel said. “And I just want to share the story of what goes on behind the scenes and how you can achieve something that at one time seemed so impossible.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education