"Feeling Like Wearing a Crown of Thorns"... US Beauty Pageant Winners Return Crowns One After Another

The winners of the American beauty pageants 'Miss USA' and 'Miss Teen USA' have returned their crowns and voluntarily resigned. This was due to deteriorating mental health caused by overly strict rules. Noelia Boyte (24), who was crowned Miss USA, announced on the 6th (local time) that she would relinquish her "queen of beauty" crown. In a post on her social media account, she stated, "This is a decision to prioritize my own mental health," and added, "Personally, I believe that we grow through various experiences in life and learn more about ourselves." Boyte was selected as Miss USA in September last year.

Miss USA winner Noelia Voight (right) and Miss Teen USA winner Uma Sophia Srivastava [Image source=Captured from New York Post homepage]

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The Miss USA organizing committee also stated on their official Facebook page, "We respect and support Noelia's decision to step down from her duties," and added, "The well-being of the pageant winner is the most important, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time."

Just two days after Boyte resigned from Miss USA, on the 8th, Miss Teen USA Uma Sophia Srivastava (17) also returned her crown. The U.S. media outlet 'New York Post' reported that Srivastava cited "a mismatch between personal values and the organization's direction" as her reason for resignation in a statement.

However, after interviewing insiders from the Miss USA organizing committee, the New York Post revealed that there had been various disputes between the pageant winners and the committee. One insider told the media, "Boyte and Srivastava wore 'thorn crowns' for months due to unfavorable contracts despite working in a toxic environment."

To participate as Miss USA or Miss Teen USA, numerous restrictions on personal life are imposed. In particular, Boyte reportedly faced excessive interference, having to follow as many as 10 detailed rules while serving as Miss USA. It is even said that Laila Rose, the Miss USA president and CEO, posted on social media as if she were Boyte or Srivastava.

Ultimately, Boyte resigned from Miss USA citing mental health reasons. This is reportedly the first time in the 72-year history of American beauty pageants that a Miss USA winner has voluntarily stepped down.

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