Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava has declared that she will be abdicating her crown, merely two days following Miss USA Noelia Voigt's announcement of her intention to also step down from her position.
Srivastava conveyed her decision in an extensive Instagram post on Wednesday, stating, "After thorough contemplation, I've opted to resign as I perceive that my personal principles no longer completely align with the organization's trajectory."
The 17-year-old, who represented New Jersey in the national contest, expressed her gratitude for attaining top accolades in the competition as a first-generation Mexican-Indian American, asserting her commitment to persist in advocating for education and acceptance and disseminating the message of her multilingual children's book, The White Jaguar.
"This endeavor has always embodied my GENUINE purpose," she articulated in part. "Ultimately, I am incredibly fortunate to have experienced this opportunity, yet if this marks merely a chapter, I am confident that the narrative of my life will indeed be extraordinary."
"Above all, gratitude to those who have championed me for who I am and have consistently been, not merely for who I've temporarily transformed into," she concluded.
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Earlier this week, Voigt, who clinched the Miss USA title as Miss Utah, divulged that she, too, would be relinquishing her position, prioritizing her mental well-being.
"In life, I profoundly esteem the significance of making decisions that resonate with you and your mental well-being. Individually, we evolve by encountering diverse life experiences that facilitate our self-discovery," she expressed in a comprehensive statement.
"Never could I have envisaged the odyssey that my childhood aspiration would lead me on," Voigt continued. "Unyielding and unwavering diligence and commitment have all propelled me to my present state, and I trust that my participation in pageantry over the past seven years and sharing my journey with all of you serves as an inspiration to never forsake your dreams, regardless of their nature."
Voigt -- the inaugural Venezuelan-American to seize the Miss USA crown -- represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant last November, culminating in the top 20.
"Inwardly, I am cognizant that this signifies merely the inception of a new phase for me, and my aspiration is that I persist in inspiring others to persevere, prioritize their mental well-being, advocate for themselves and others by utilizing their voice, and confront the future without trepidation, even amidst uncertainty," she concluded.
