Current:Home > StocksMoms of Former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Detail Daughters' "Nightmare" Experiences -Capitatum
Moms of Former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Detail Daughters' "Nightmare" Experiences
View
Date:2025-04-16 07:28:38
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! (35)
Related
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Civil rights groups call for DOJ probe on police response to campus protests
- Prince Harry accepts Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPYs despite Tillman's mother's criticism to honor him
- Billy Joel isn’t ready to retire. What’s next after his Madison Square Garden residency?
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- NeNe Leakes Shares Surprising Update on Boyfriend Nyonisela Sioh—and if She Wants to Get Married Again
- Lakers vs. Rockets live updates: Watch Bronny James in summer league game today
- Idris Elba meets with King Charles III to discuss UK youth violence: See photos
- Everything Simone Biles did at the Paris Olympics was amplified. She thrived in the spotlight
- Just as the temperature climbs, Texas towns are closing public pools to cut costs
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Map shows all the stores slated to be sold in Kroger-Albertsons merger
- Emergency workers uncover dozens of bodies in a Gaza City district after Israeli assault
- Blue Bell limited edition flavor has a chocolatey cheesy finish
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- Angry birds have been swarming drones looking for sharks and struggling swimmers off NYC beaches
- Chicago removing homeless encampment ahead of Democratic National Convention
- Prosecutor in Alec Baldwin’s Rust Trial Accused of Calling Him a “C--ksucker”
Recommendation
Elon Musk’s Daughter Vivian Calls Him “Absolutely Pathetic” and a “Serial Adulterer”
Young Voters Want To Make Themselves Heard In Hawaii — But They Don’t Always Know How
Small Nashville museum wants you to know why it is returning artifacts to Mexico
Authorities release more details in killing of California woman last seen at a bar in 2022
Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
Suspect arrested 20 years to the day after 15-year-old Arizona girl was murdered
Monte Kiffin, longtime DC who helped revolutionize defensive football, dies at 84
Biden, Jeffries meet as some House Democrats call on him to leave 2024 campaign