Indian-origin Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava gives up title: ‘values don’t align with organisation’

UmaSofia Srivastava is the first person of Mexican and Indian origin to be crowned Miss Teen USA

UmaSofia Srivastava, who was crowned Miss Teen USA 2023, has given up her title two days after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt did the same. In a note shared on Instagram, Srivastava said her personal values no longer aligned with the organisation.

The 17-year-old had been the first Mexican-Indian American to be crowned Miss Teen USA in September 2023. However, in a note shared on her personal Instagram yesterday, Srivastava said she grappled with the decision to resign for months before finally taking the plunge.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to resign as I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organisation,” she wrote.

“While this was certainly not how I saw my reign coming to a close, I am excited to continue my advocacy for education and acceptance, start applying to colleges, and share some exciting new projects on That’s Fan Behavior with those of you who plan to stick around,” Srivastava added in her Instagram post.

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Miss Teen USA accepted the resignation and said a new title-holder would be announced soon.

“We respect and support UmaSofia’s decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority. We are currently reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor, and we will soon announce the crowning of the new Miss Teen USA,” the organisation wrote in an Instagram post shared yesterday.

The exact reason behind Srivastava’s resignation is still unclear, but her announcement has set off a storm of speculation on social media. Insiders told The New York Post that Srivastava had been struggling with the organisation’s toxic work environment.

Miss USA social media manager Claudia Michelle also hinted at this when she stepped down from her post on May 3. “I feel the way current management speaks about their titleholders is unprofessional and inappropriate; I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind… I believe Noelia and Uma’s mental health and happiness has taken a toll and I cannot remain silent about that,” she said.