Breaking News: Utah's Stunning Noelia Voigt Wins Miss USA 2023 - Find Out How!
Utah's Noelia Voigt takes the crown as Miss USA 2023, triumphing at the prestigious pageant held in Reno, Nevada Hawaii's Savannah Gankiewicz secures the 1st runner-up position
Noelia Voigt, a resident of Utah, was crowned the new Miss USA at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The prestigious pageant, which took place on Friday night, was broadcast live on the CW Network. Savannah Gankiewicz from Hawaii received the first runner-up title.
Competing against 50 other titleholders, Noelia Voigt, who is 23 years old, emerged as the winner. The televised competition initially began with 20 finalists, and after the swimwear and evening gown rounds, only five contestants remained: Noelia Voigt, Savannah Gankiewicz, Jasmine Daniels from Pennsylvania, Lluvia Alzate from Texas, and Alexis Loomans from Wisconsin.
In the final Q&A round, when asked about her contribution as a "brand ambassador" for the Miss Universe Organization and Miss USA, Voigt emphasized her identity as a bilingual Venezuelan-American. She also made a commitment to engaging with a wide range of communities throughout the United States. The panel of judges comprised Vivica A. Fox, former "Real Housewife" Luann de Lesseps, and beauty vlogger Patrick Starrr.
In an effort to modernize and make progress in a long-standing tradition, the small-town Native American beauty pageant aimed to offer a fresh approach. According to Laylah Rose, President and CEO of the Miss USA Organization, a statement released in early September stated their intentions. The recent rule change by the Miss Universe Organization led to the inclusion of a married state titleholder for the first time in this year's Miss USA pageant. Juliana Morehouse-Locklear from Maine held this title, although she did not make it to the top 20. She happens to be the daughter of a contestant in the 1994 Miss USA pageant.
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Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel is crowned the 2022 Miss Universe on January 14in New Orleans.
Voigt takes over as the new Miss USA for 2022, replacing Morgan Romano from North Carolina. Romano, in turn, had succeeded Bonney Gabriel of Texas, who was crowned Miss Universe for 2022 in January.
Claims of rigging marred Gabriels victory at the 2022 Miss USA pageant, as some fellow contestants alleged foul play. Following her crowning in October 2022, the Miss Universe Organization, the parent company of Miss USA, initiated an investigation and suspended Crystle Stewart, the then-director of Miss USA and winner of the 2008 Miss USA pageant, along with her company Miss Brands.
Gabriel, Stewart, and other officials vehemently denied the allegations. Gabriel assured E! News that there was no unfair advantage or rigging involved. Stewart released a statement expressing her dedication to providing a fair competition and refusing to discredit or deny the contestants equal opportunities. In August, the pageant decided to end its partnership with Stewart. The Miss USA Organization conducted a thorough investigation into the accusations and confirmed their falsity. They stated that after extensive discussions and considerations, they were unable to reach an agreement with Crystle, resulting in her decision to pursue other entrepreneurial passions using her success with the Miss USA Organization.
The pageant at the Grand Sierra Resort created history as a trans woman, the first-ever, won the title of Miss Netherlands contestant. Additionally, Miss Teen USA was crowned on the same evening, with 16-year-old UmaSofia Srivastava from New Jersey emerging as the winner. Stephanie Skinner, aged 19 from New York, secured the first-runner-up position.
