The country head of this pageant organization is finally going to be kicked out.
It should have happened long ago.
Laylah Rose
Miss USA CEO, Creator, Founder of Laylah Rose Couture and Creator, Founder of VIP Pageantry, VIP TV, and VIP Fashion Shows
Miss USA
What happened:
In May 2024, the Miss USA organization faced significant upheaval following the resignations of both Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, and Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava. Voigt stepped down on May 6, citing mental health concerns and alluding to a “toxic work environment” within the organization. Her resignation letter, portions of which were leaked, detailed experiences of bullying, harassment, and delays in receiving promised prizes. Two days later, Srivastava also resigned, expressing that her values no longer aligned with those of the organization.
Due to confidentiality agreements, both titleholders were unable to speak directly about their experiences; however, their mothers publicly described the environment as a “nightmare” involving mistreatment and coercion.
In the wake of these resignations, first runner-up Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii assumed the Miss USA 2023 title, while the Miss Teen USA 2023 title remained vacant after the first runner-up declined the position.
In addition to the resignations of Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava, the controversy also put a spotlight on Laylah Rose, the president and CEO of the Miss USA Organization. Rose, who took over leadership of the pageant in 2022, faced allegations of fostering a toxic work environment, mishandling prize distributions, and exerting excessive control over titleholders.
Some former contestants and insiders accused her of being unresponsive to concerns and prioritizing the organization’s image over the well-being of its winners. In response to the backlash, Rose denied any wrongdoing and stated that she remained committed to empowering women through the pageant. However, the departures of both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, coupled with increasing public scrutiny, have raised questions about the future of the organization under her leadership.