Noelia Voigt, who unexpectedly resigned as Miss USA, says she's grateful for recent support after stepping down.
While Noelia Voigt is no longer wearing a crown, she's carrying an important torch.
The 2023 Miss USA, who announced her resignation from the role mere days ago, responded to the reaction she's received while at People's "Celebrating 50 Years" exhibit in New York City.
The 24-year-old noted to People that she is "overwhelmed" and "grateful" for the public outpouring and vowed to always advocate for mental health.
"The fact that I've been able to kind of shed a light on that and be someone that people can look up to in that sense and, you know, let people know," she said, "that if something isn’t good for you, it’s OK to step away from it, then I’m grateful to be that beacon of light for people."
Seven months after she was crowned as Miss USA, Voigt shockingly announced her resignation.
“In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health," she began her lengthy social media statement. "As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about ourselves."
Voigt concluded her message, "Deep down I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me, and my hope is that I continue to inspire others to remain steadfast, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain."
While she did not further specify what caused her to step down from the position, Voigt repeatedly referenced mental health in her announcement. "Never compromise your physical and mental well-being," she wrote in her Instagram caption. "Our health is our wealth."
The Miss USA organization issued a statement on her resignation, which read, "We respect and support former Miss USA Noelia Voigt's decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time. The organization is currently reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor and an announcement regarding the crowning of the new Miss USA will be coming soon."
That successor has since been announced as Savannah Gankiewicz, who originally placed first runner-up in the Miss USA pageant competing as Miss Hawaii.
Meanwhile, following Voigt's resignation -- as well as Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava stepping down two days later -- members of the Miss USA 2023 class issued a collective statement asking the organization to release Voigt from the confidentiality NDA clause of her contract "so that she is free to speak on her experiences and time as Miss USA."
"I think the most important thing is transparency -- transparency on both sides," Miss Nevada USA 2023 Josie Nicole Stephens told ET. "I want to hear from the organization. I want to hear their story, as well as [allow] Noelia and UmaSofia the option to tell their story."
"We need full transparency, especially for the women who are to come after us," she continued. "They need to know what exactly they’re putting themselves, the situation that they’re putting themselves into."
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