Hawaii's Savannah Gankiewicz wins the Miss USA title amidst organization turmoil
In the midst of recent controversies and internal upheavals within the Miss USA organization, Savannah Gankiewicz from Hawaii emerges as the newly crowned Miss USA, bringing a fresh start to the pageant amidst challenging times.
Amidst a whirlwind two weeks filled with resignations and accusations directed at the Miss USA organization, Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz has taken on the title of Miss USA. Originally the first runner-up at the 2023 Miss USA pageant, the 28-year-old made the decision to step up and accept the crown.
At a ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Wednesday, Savannah Gankiewicz was officially crowned Miss USA by the governor of Hawaii, Josh Green. In a statement, she expressed her belief that this opportunity was meant for her and her eagerness to make a positive impact with an organization that she holds close to her heart.
"I am committed to taking action and making a positive impact. With my background as a certified mental health first aid responder and training in anti-bullying suicide prevention, I recognize the importance of prioritizing well-being and supporting those in need. I believe that real change begins from within, and I am dedicated to setting an example and empowering the class of 2024 and beyond," she expressed to a crowd at a hotel in Waikiki, with a small aquarium in the background.
Gankiewicz has succeeded Noelia Voigt, who recently relinquished her title. Voigt mentioned mental health as her reason for stepping down, but in her resignation letter to the Miss Universe organization, she accused CEO Laylah Rose of creating a culture of fear and control.
Miss USA management frequently neglected to arrange travel accommodations for her and did not assign her an effective handler. This lack of support resulted in an incident where Voigt was sexually harassed during a Christmas parade event in Sarasota, Florida, while she was alone with an unnamed individual in a car.
Despite CNN's requests for comment, the Miss Universe organization and Rose, representing Miss USA, did not provide any response.
Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava decided to step down from her title just two days after Voigt's resignation. She shared on Instagram that her values no longer completely matched the organization's direction.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 10: (L-R) Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava and Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt attend Supermodels Unlimited Magazine Presents: Billboards Over Broadway - NYFW Celebrity Event at Nebula Nightclub on February 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited)
UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss Teen USA 2023, and Noelia Voigt, Miss USA 2023, were spotted together at a celebrity event in New York City. The event, called Billboards Over Broadway - NYFW, was presented by Supermodels Unlimited Magazine at Nebula Nightclub on February 10, 2024. The two beauty queens looked stunning as they posed for photos at the event. Craig Barritt captured their glamorous presence in his photo for Getty Images.
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Rose made her first public appearance since the controversy, choosing not to address any of the allegations. Instead, she warmly welcomed Gankiewicz to the Miss USA family, encouraging her to use her influence for positive change. She also expressed gratitude to corporate partners and sponsors for their unwavering support.
She announced that this year's Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants will be held in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on the CW network.
The CW recently signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast the two pageants in April. However, USA Today reported on Monday that the network is now "evaluating" its relationship with the Miss USA organization due to recent allegations.
CNN reached out to The CW for comment, but they have not responded yet.
Tumult and turnover
Currently, the Miss Teen USA role remains unfilled. The first runner-up from 2023, New York’s Stephanie Skinner, has declined to be crowned in a public statement on Instagram.
On "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, Voigt and Srivastava's mothers revealed that their daughters were bound by strict non-disclosure agreements in their contracts, preventing them from discussing their experiences.
Barbara Srivastava expressed that what seemed like the job of their dreams had actually become a nightmare. She shared that the girls made the difficult decision to step down and forfeit their lifelong dream of winning a crown and national title. It left her questioning why the two girls would choose to give it all up.
During their time as reigning champions, she explained that their daughters were subjected to mistreatment, abuse, bullying, and isolation.
Miss USA and the Miss Universe Organization have not responded to CNN's repeated requests for a comment.
Many current Miss USA state titleholders showed their support for Noelia Voigt on Instagram after her resignation. However, this week, the reigning Miss Colorado USA, Arianna Lemus, decided to give up her title entirely.
Lemus explained to CNN on Wednesday, "My values were compromised. Pageantry should not involve silencing women. Even though the 2023 Miss USA class stood together in support of Noelia, I felt that wasn't sufficient for me. That's why I chose to resign."
Gankiewicz will only be Miss USA for a few months this summer. In August, a new contestant from the 2024 state titleholders will be crowned at the next Miss USA pageant.
She took to Instagram to talk about the limited time she has as Miss USA. Gankiewicz mentioned her plans to focus on rebuilding Lahaina on Maui and supporting the 2024 delegates as they prepare for their journey towards the crown.
Lemus urged for immediate action to safeguard future titleholders from restrictive contracts starting in 2024. On the other hand, Jackeline Voigt, Voigt's mother, advised contestants to think twice about participating, citing the experiences of Noelia and UmaSofia as examples. She emphasized that the current moment may not be ideal for competition.
Editor's P/S:
The recent turmoil within the Miss USA organization, marked by high-profile resignations and allegations of mistreatment, has cast a shadow over the prestigious pageant. Savannah Gankiewicz's assumption of the Miss USA title is a bittersweet moment, highlighting the challenges and controversies that have plagued the organization.
The allegations of a culture of fear and control, coupled with the lack of support provided to titleholders, raise serious concerns about the well-being and safety of contestants. The non-disclosure agreements that bind participants further silence their voices, creating an environment where grievances are suppressed. It is imperative that the Miss USA organization address these allegations transparently and implement measures to ensure the protection and empowerment of all its participants.
