Current:Home > MyMoms of Former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Detail Daughters' "Nightmare" Experiences -Wealthify
Moms of Former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Detail Daughters' "Nightmare" Experiences
View
Date:2025-04-13 06:41:23
The moms of former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are speaking up for their daughters.
A week after Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava rocked the pageant world by sharing their decisions to step down from their respective roles their moms Jackeline Voigt and Barbara Srivastava shared more insight into their daughters' experiences with the pageant organization.
"I want to make it clear, it's not about what they can get, the prizes," Barbara said on Good Morning America May 14 in a joint interview with Jackeline. "It's about how they were ill-treated, abused, bullied and cornered."
"The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare," she continued. "We could not continue this charade."
The pair said that Noelia—who cited mental health for her decision—and UmaSofia, who expressed that her personal values no longer aligned with the organization, are bound by confidentiality clauses that prevented them from speaking out.
Jackeline recalled to GMA the first time she knew something was wrong when Noelia, who was crowned Miss USA in September, was approached by a man at a Christmas parade in Florida, an encounter that she ultimately reported to the organization.
"I saw Noelia so stressed out, and I said, 'What happened?'" Jackeline recalled. "She said, 'Mom, get in the car.' When I got in the car, I said, ‘What happened?' because I know he said something but I couldn't get it."
"He told Noelia, 'Are you into old men with money?'" she continued. "And made Noelia very, very uncomfortable." Jackeline alleged that when the 24-year-old told the organization, Miss USA CEO and President Laylah Rose responded to Noelia by noting the organization couldn't prevent people from saying things to her during public appearances.
After Noelia resigned, Barbara said UmaSofia, who also won her title in September, was ready to follow suit.
"When she saw that they were tying in Noelia's mental health," Barbara recounted of Noelia's resignation, UmaSofia said, "'I cannot stand for this. I need to stand up for Noelia.'"
Jackeline and Barbara are calling for Laylah to step down from her role and are urging pageant participants to reconsider their decision to compete.
"Look at what happened to Noelia and UmaSofia," Jackeline shared. "So, really pay attention. We don't want them to go through this right now. It's not the right time to participate."
She added, "We just don't want these families and these girls to go through what we went through."
In a statement to ABC News, The Miss USA Organization shared, "We are committed to fostering a healthy, communicative and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders and staff."
She concluded her letter by writing that she feels it is unsafe for future Miss Universe Organization title holders, adding, "Every statement you have ever put out about MUO's morals and integrity directly contradicts what is happening within the USA organization."
While Noelia expressed her gratitude for her time as Miss USA in her statement on social media, her resignation to the organization, obtained by NBC News May 9, offered a much more candid reflection of her experience.
The eight-page letter, per the outlet, described "a toxic work environment within the Miss USA Organization that, at best, is poor management and, at worst, is bullying and harassment."
Noelia further accused Laylah of speaking badly of her to others in the organization.
She concluded her letter by writing that she feels it is unsafe for future Miss Universe Organization title holders, adding, "Every statement you have ever put out about MUO's morals and integrity directly contradicts what is happening within the USA organization."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (63464)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Baby Reindeer Star Jessica Gunning Comes Out as Gay
- Tori Spelling Reveals She Replaced Her Disgusting Teeth With New Veneers
- What Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde hosting CMA Fest 2024 says about its next 50 years
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Dollar General digital coupons: Get promo codes from USA TODAY's coupons page to save money
- Boeing's Starliner capsule finally launches, carries crew into space for first piloted test flight
- China's lunar probe flies a flag on the far side of the moon, sends samples back toward Earth
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- As New York Mets loiter in limbo, they try to make the most out of gap year
Ranking
- 'Most Whopper
- Florida revises school library book removal training after public outcry
- Woman in Michigan police standoff dies after being struck with ‘less lethal round’
- Who will Jake Paul fight next? Here are his options after Mike Tyson’s ulcer flareup
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Adam Levine Is Returning to The Voice: Meet His Fellow Season 27 Coaches
- Judge dismisses cruelty charges against trooper who hit loose horse with patrol vehicle
- Body recovered from rubble after explosion levels house in Chicago suburbs
Recommendation
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Angel Reese ejected after two technical fouls in Chicago Sky loss to New York Liberty
Walmart offers new perks for workers, from a new bonus plan to opportunities in skilled trade jobs
Whitney Port Shares Her Son's Kindergarten Graduation Included a Nod to The Hills
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
14-years old and graduated from college: Meet Keniah, the Florida teen with big plans
Adults care about gender politics way more than kids, doctor says. So why is it such a big deal?
Slovakia’s Fico says he was targeted for Ukraine views, in first speech since assassination attempt