Miss New York Teen USA Stephanie Skinner has stepped down from her title as Miss Teen USA first runner-up, citing her unwillingness to sacrifice her character. She joins the recent wave of resignations from beauty pageant titles, including Miss USA 2023 and Miss Teen USA 2023.
Both winners, Noelia Voigt, and UmaSofia Srivastava, announced their resignations within days of each other, sparking speculation about the dark underbelly surrounding the pageant organization.
Stephanie took to Instagram on Sunday to announce her decision, stating that she had put “every ounce of [her] being” into winning the title and sacrificed much of her personal life for it. She also mentioned that her life changed when she was offered the crown following UmaSofia’s resignation. However, in light of recent events, she has chosen to decline the title and hopes for respect and understanding of her decision.
In her statement, Stephanie expressed her support for the previous winners, Noelia and UmaSofia, and sent them “immense love and support.” She also stated that her core values are integrity, honor, and kindness and that she will always stand for female empowerment. She made it clear that her decision to decline the title was not an easy one, but she stands by it as she believes in staying true to her character.
Stephanie’s announcement was met with support and admiration from Noelia and UmaSofia, who left comments under her post. Noelia praised Stephanie’s dedication and integrity, while UmaSofia expressed her gratitude for their friendship. Stephanie’s decision comes just days after both Noelia and UmaSofia resigned from their titles, citing personal reasons.
Noelia, who had won the Miss USA crown just seven months ago, stated that she was stepping down due to mental health challenges. Two days later, her close friend and fellow pageant winner UmaSofia joined her in resigning from the organization, stating that her values no longer align with the direction of the organization.
The consecutive resignations have sparked rumors and speculation about the real reasons behind the wave of resignations. An insider claimed that the Miss Universe Organization, which oversees the Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss Universe competitions, had created a toxic and harmful workplace atmosphere, leading to the resignations.
The Miss Universe Organization has a long history of transforming beauty pageants into platforms for women to speak out and raise awareness for important causes. However, it has also faced controversy, scandals, and criticism over the years. In the late 1990s, the organization was embroiled in scandal, tarnishing its reputation.
While the exact reasons for the recent resignations remain unclear, the back-to-back announcements have brought to light the dark side of the beauty pageant industry. It is a reminder that behind the glitz and glamour of these events, there may be deeper issues that need to be addressed and addressed immediately.
As for Stephanie, she has made her decision to prioritize her character and integrity, and it is important to respect and support her in this difficult decision.
