On first glance, beauty pageants seem like a glittering competition that showcases glamor and elegance – but underneath the stunning women, dazzling gowns, and sparkling tiaras is a dark industry plagued by a slew of horrific allegations.
Over the years, what was once a worldwide phenomenon watched by millions has become shrouded in scandal – from a winner who tragically took her own life over the hate she received to claims that former Miss Universe Organization co-owner Donald Trump would go into the dressing room of teenage girls at the competitions.
In the most recent shocking twist, both Miss USA 2024 and Miss Teen USA 2024 announced that they were resigning within days of one another.
Miss USA Noelia Voigt, 24, shared her shock resignation via Instagram on Monday, explaining that she wanted to focus on her ‘physical and mental well-being’ in a statement.
Both Miss USA 2024 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2024 UmaSofia Srivastava (seen together) announced that they were resigning from their titles within days of one another
The announcements sent shockwaves around the beauty industry, especially after fans noticed that the first letter of each sentence of Noelia’s statement spell out, ‘I AM SILENCED’
Over the years, the beauty pageant industry has become shrouded in scandal. Take a look back at the rise and fall of the Miss Universe Organization
Two days later, 17-year-old Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava said she too was stepping down because her personal values ‘no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.’
The back-to-back announcements sent shockwaves through the beauty pageant industry, especially after eagle-eyed fans spotted a code in Noelia’s statement, with the first letter of each sentence spelling out, ‘I AM SILENCED.’
Immediately, rumors erupted about what really led to the two women stepping away, with an insider accusing the Miss Universe Organization of creating ‘harmful workplace conditions’ and a ‘toxic atmosphere’ to the New York Post.
The Miss Universe Organization – which oversees the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA competitions – helped turn beauty pageants into what they are today.
They were the first to broadcast their competitions on national TV in the 1950s – and following World War II and the Great Depression, people all across America became enthralled with watching the glamorous events play out each year.
The organization worked hard to make pageants more than a superficial competition designed to highlight the most stunning women around the globe; each competitor had to pick a cause to represent, and the winners worked tirelessly to raise awareness about their topic.
On the outside, it looked like the Miss Universe Organization had everything – immense popularity while giving women a platform to speak out against important subjects that they were passionate about.
But as quick as its dazzling rise came its controversial fall, and by the late 1990s, the company had become embroiled in scandal.
Perhaps Donald was to blame. He became a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization in 1996, but immediately faced backlash after he made comments about one winner’s weight and described her as ‘Miss Piggy.’
And while Donald ultimately parted ways with the organization in 2015 – after the network airing the pageants dropped them due to his controversial statements – it has continued on a downward spiral since then.
After his departure, a slew of former contestants made a series of shocking claims against him; in addition, immense scrutiny around the pageants’ lack of inclusivity has swirled over the years, as many noticed that only women of certain body sizes and skin colors were chosen to compete.
Things only got worse in 2022, when DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Miss USA’s Vice President had quietly left after he faced an onslaught of horrific sexual harassment allegations.
In addition, rumors erupted later that year that the Miss USA competition had been rigged, after viewers noticed something very strange about an ad the winner had filmed.
After years of controversies and now with Noelia and UmaSofia’s shock resignations, the question remains: Is this the final blow for the Miss Universe Organization or will they be able to bounce back?
Only time will tell, but in the meantime, take a look back at the rise and fall of the Miss Universe Organization – and uncover all the murky scandals that the company has faced over the years.
The glitzy rise of the Miss Universe Organization: How the company helped turn beauty pageants into a worldwide phenomenon and massive industry
P.T. Barnum would hold live beauty contests during the 1850s, where ‘contestants would be displayed and judged by paying audiences, who would crown their favorite the winner’
The first official Miss America competition took place in 1921, when Atlantic City saw its numbers dwindling and decided to host a competition as a ploy to bring in some more tourists
More than 100,000 people showed up to watch the young ladies strut their stuff and vote on who was the best looking. Sixteen-year-old Margaret Gorman (seen) was crowned winner
Beauty pageants have been going on for more than a century; it’s been said that acclaimed showman P.T. Barnum – who founded Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus – would hold live beauty contests during the 1850s, where ‘contestants would be displayed and judged by paying audiences, who would crown their favorite the winner,’ per Guinness World Records.
In 1951, when Miss America winner Yolande Betbeze Fox (seen) refused to pose for photos in a swimsuit, one of the event’s sponsor, Catalina Swimwear decided to cut ties with the competition and start its own
The first official Miss America competition took place in 1921, when Atlantic City, New Jersey, saw its numbers dwindling and decided to host what they thought would be a small but fun competition as a ploy to bring in some more tourists.
They released an ad in the newspaper asking women from all across America to come and compete to see who was the most beautiful – but what happened next was unprecedented.
The city’s officials certainly didn’t expect that more than 100,000 people would show up to watch the young ladies strut their stuff and vote on who was the best looking.
Sixteen-year-old Margaret Gorman was crowned as the winner and given $100. It was a major success, so the beach-side city started hosting the pageant every year.
Unfortunately, when the Great Depression hit in 1929, the pageant came to a halt and it seemed like the industry was doomed.
But when the economic crisis ceased in the 1950s, they came back stronger than ever.
It then launched the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions in 1952, forming the Miss Universe Organization. Participants of the first Miss Universe competition are seen
A few years later, the competitions began being televised live on CBS – and that changed everything. Finalists in the first phase of the Miss Universe pageant in 1961 are seen
People all across the globe became enthralled with the razzle and dazzle of the competitions, Miss Universe 1989 Angela Visser is seen after her win
TV personalities like John Charles Daly, Bob Barker (left), Alan Thicke (right), and Dick Clark all hosted the pageants over the years
In 1951, the Miss America competition returned – but when its winner Yolande Betbeze Fox refused to pose for photos in a swimsuit afterwards, one of the event’s sponsor, Catalina Swimwear, decided to cut ties with the competition and start its own.
It then launched the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions in 1952. A few years later, the competitions began being televised live on CBS – and that changed everything for the beauty pageant industry.
Soon, a slew of celebrities clamored for a chance to host the events, with TV personalities like John Charles Daly, Bob Barker, Alan Thicke, and Dick Clark all running the pageants over the years.
People all across the globe became enthralled with the razzle and dazzle of the competitions – and between the stunning women and the A-list appearances, millions were tuning in each year to watch it all play out on TV.
Lack of inclusivity: The competitions have faced backlash for only accepting women with certain body types and skin colors- and for not allowing those who were married to compete for decades
The competitions have faced backlash for only accepting women with certain body types and skin colors – and for not allowing those who were married to compete for decades
Donald Trump – who became a co-owner of the pageants in 1996 – called Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado ‘an eating machine’ and ‘Miss Piggy’ on Howard Stern’s radio show
The Miss Universe Organization set fierce rules for who would be allowed to compete – many of which have been fiercely slammed over the years.
For example, until recently, women hoping to take home the title of Miss Universe were not allowed to compete if they were currently or previously married or if they had any children or were pregnant.
Back in 1957, Mary Leona Gage, from Texas, was crowned as Miss USA – but later had her title revoked after officials found out she was secretly married and had two children.
According to The Baltimore Sun, Mary got married at age 14 and had entered the competition to ‘get away’ from her husband and ‘escape his oppression.’
The outlet reported that the scrutiny she faced after losing her crown resulted in multiple ‘suicide attempts’ and ‘drug overdoses.’
In August 2022, it was announced that the competition was opening its doors to married women and mothers; and while it’s becoming more accepting regarding marital status, the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants have also come under fire for only accepting women with certain body types or skin colors.
Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado, from Venezuela, was reportedly told by officials that she was going to be replaced if she didn’t lose weight.
At the time, Donald – who became a co-owner of the pageants that year – even called her ‘an eating machine’ and ‘Miss Piggy’ on Howard Stern’s radio show.
Siera Bearchell, who represented Canada at Miss Universe in 2017, told Elle that she was ‘told she had to lose’ a certain amount of weight ‘to have potential to win the competition’
Plus, following her win in 2021, Miss USA Elle Smith (seen) begged the organization to showcase ‘all body types’
Siera Bearchell, who represented Canada at Miss Universe in 2017, told Elle that she was ‘told she had to lose’ a certain amount of weight ‘to have potential to win the competition,’ which resulted in her ‘restricting her eating’ in the lead up.
‘I was never happy with what I looked like or what I was being told to do,’ she said. ‘I was instructed to eat as little as possible… I couldn’t even workout to the level I would because I literally had no fuel for my body.
‘Some days I would have a single protein bar – half in the morning and half later on and do hours of workouts. I was told, «If you want to be successful, this is what you have to do.»‘
Plus, following her win in 2021, Miss USA Elle Smith begged the organization to showcase ‘all body types.’
‘At Miss USA, we have been so inclusive to different ethnicities and different races, but more or less, we all look very similar,’ she told Insider.
‘I think, if we want to be representative of women as a whole, then we’ve got to be more inclusive to all body types.’
A slew of scandals: Former contestants claimed Donald Trump entered the changing rooms with minors and the vice president of Miss USA was accused of sexual harassment in 2021
In 2015, NBC announced that it was dropping all of its business deals with Trump (seen in 2004 with Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins), which meant it would no longer be showing the competitions
He parted ways with the organization, but one year later, former contestants claimed he had entered the changing rooms with minors in a report. He’s seen in 2012 with Miss Universe
In 2015, the once booming Miss Universe Organization first began to crumble, thanks to the ongoing backlash over its lack of inclusivity and co-owner Donald’s growing number of controversial statements.
After he launched his presidential campaign, NBC announced that it was dropping all of its business deals with Trump, which meant it would no longer be showing the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions.
Donald ultimately parted ways with the Miss Universe Organization that year and Fox agreed to air the pageants.
But one year later, an explosive report from Buzzfeed came out that saw multiple former competitors making a slew of allegations against Donald.
Some even claimed that he entered the Miss Teen USA changing rooms where girls as young as 15 were getting undressed.
‘I remember putting on my dress really quick because I was like, «Oh my God, there’s a man in here,»‘ Mariah Billado, Miss Teen Vermont 1997, told the publication.
‘He just came strolling right in,’ Miss Arizona 2001 Tasha Dixon added. ‘There was no second to put a robe on or any sort of clothing or anything.
‘Some girls were topless. Others girls were naked. Our first introduction to him was when we were at the dress rehearsal and half-naked changing into our bikinis.
In 2022, DailyMail.com revealed that the Vice President of Miss USA, Max Sebrechts (seen with his wife), had quietly stepped down amid accusations that he sexually harassed contestants
He was accused of sending inappropriate messages to two more girls, and telling one she was his ‘personal favorite’ and promising to help her become Miss USA. He’s seen with his wife
‘To have the owner come waltzing in, when we’re naked, or half-naked, in a very physically vulnerable position and then to have the pressure of the people that worked for him telling us to go fawn all over him, go walk up to him, talk to him, get his attention…’ she added, trailing off.
In October 2022, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that the vice president of Miss USA, Max Sebrechts, had been forced to quietly step down one year prior amid accusations that he sexually harassed contestants.
One contestant had complained that he invited himself into her hotel room and kissed her.
He was also accused of sending inappropriate messages to two more girls, and telling one she was his ‘personal favorite’ and promising to help her become Miss USA. He denied the claims.
Contestants crumbling under the immense pressure: Miss USA 2019 tragically took her own life after struggling with online hate regarding her win
Cheslie Kryst jumped to her death from the 29th floor of her apartment building in New York City in January 2022 at age 30 – three years after she earned the Miss USA title
In a book written by the pageant queen before her passing, which was released by her mom last month, she revealed that the horrific backlash lead to her deciding to take her own life
The winners of the Miss Universe competition often become stars in their own right, embarking on press tours and making a slew of appearances around the world.
They score invites to coveted events, and mingle with some of Hollywood’s most elite.
The ladies also live lavishly; they are rewarded with a scholarship to the New York Film Academy – a private acting school – and used to get a free apartment in one of Trump’s lavish apartment complexes in Manhattan during the year they reigned.
The winners also receive a cash prize – the exact amount has changed numerous times over the year, right now it’s $250,000 – have much of their living expenses covered by the Miss Universe Organization, and are given access to a full styling and glam team at all times.
But being crowned as the winner comes with immense pressure, which tragically led to one woman taking her own life.
Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst jumped to her death from the 29th floor of her apartment building in New York City in January 2022 at age 30 – only three years after she became the oldest woman to ever earn the Miss USA title.
In a tell-all book written by the pageant queen before her passing, which was released by her mom last month, she revealed that the horrific backlash that she faced in the wake of her win led to her sadly deciding to take her own life.
In the book, Cheslie recalled battling an ‘unshakable feeling that she did not belong’ and an ‘inner voice’ that repeatedly told her she was ‘never enough’
She explained that her ‘long-standing insecurities’ were only worsened after she was crowned as Miss USA – due to the harsh reaction from the public. She’s seen in 2020
In an excerpt from the memoir, obtained by People, Cheslie recalled battling an ‘unshakable feeling that she did not belong’ and an ‘inner voice’ that repeatedly told her she was ‘never enough.’
She explained that her ‘long-standing insecurities’ were only worsened after she was crowned as Miss USA – due to the harsh reaction from the public.
She said haters would comment with ‘vomit face emoji’s’ on her Instagram following her win in 2019, and even recalled one person ‘telling her to kill herself’ in a private message.
‘All of this only added to my long-standing insecurities – the feeling that everyone around me knew more than I did, that everyone else was better at my job, and that I didn’t deserve this title,’ she wrote.
‘People would soon find out I was a fraud. I felt like an imposter, but not just in pageants.’
Cheslie remembered constantly having ‘panicky thoughts and feelings of inadequacy’ during the press tour after the competition.
‘I meticulously picked apart each of my responses and kicked myself for not using a better word or saying a profound phrase or interjecting humor or throwing out a useful stat,’ she continued.
‘I had to be perfect because I had to represent for all youth, women, and Black people who also wanted to be in the room but had been denied access.’
Accusations of rigging: After a winner was crowned for Miss USA in 2022, some viewers wondered if it had been fixed and accused the organization of picking her before the competition began
In 2022, Miss Universe Organization was shrouded in more scandal after R’Bonney Gabriel earned the title of Miss USA – and some people wondered if the competition had been fixed
Many viewers pointed out that the beauty queen had filmed an advertisement for a plastic surgery spa nine weeks before the competition took place – which is a key part of the prize
In 2022, Miss Universe Organization was shrouded in more scandal after Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel earned the title of Miss USA – and some people wondered if the competition had been fixed.
Many viewers pointed out that the beauty queen had filmed an advertisement for a plastic surgery spa nine weeks before the competition took place – which is a key part of the prize.
That clinic uploaded the video advert hours after her win, sparking suspicion that they’d known all along she would be crowned, especially since none of the other entrants are known to have visited the resort.
It was only heightened when Miss Missouri Mikala McGhee told Insider that ‘a lot of the girls felt like it was the organization’s plan from the beginning for R’Bonney to win, no matter who else was competing.’
R’Bonney later denied the claims in a statement that read: ‘It was not rigged, because I would never enter any pageant or any competition that I would know I would win. I have a lot of integrity.
‘I want to be transparent and I want everybody to know that there was no unfair advantage and nothing was rigged.’
Afterwards, a third-party investigation found that ‘accusations of rigging of the 2022 Miss USA Pageant were false.’
Afterwards, a third-party investigation found that ‘accusations of rigging of the 2022 Miss USA Pageant were false.’ Even so, Miss USA president Crystle Stewart (seen) was replaced
Back in 2012, a woman named Sheena Monnin (seen) resigned just two days before she was set to compete after she claimed that the top five contestants had already been chosen
Even so, Miss USA president Crystle Stewart was replaced with Laylah Rose.
This wasn’t the first time the organization faced accusations of rigging. Back in 2012, a woman named Sheena Monnin resigned just two days before she was set to compete in the Miss USA pageant after she claimed that the top five contestants had already been chosen.
At the time, she said in a Facebook post, ‘In good conscience, I can no longer be affiliated in any way with an organization I consider to be fraudulent, lacking in morals, inconsistent, and in many ways trashy.’
She was sued for defamation and was ordered to pay $5 million to Miss USA.
‘We cannot allow a disgruntled contestant to make false and reckless statements which are damaging to the many people who have devoted their hearts and souls to the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA pageant systems,’ co-owner Donald said at the time.
‘While I feel very badly for Sheena, she did the wrong thing. She was really nasty, and we had no choice. It is an expensive lesson for her.’
The final blow? Both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA resigned within days of each other – with one including a secret message that says ‘I am silenced’ in her announcement
Noelia shared the news that she was stepping down via Instagram earlier this week – becoming the first title holder in Miss USA’s 72-year history to relinquish her crown
‘I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for your mental health,’ she wrote. ‘I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023’
Noelia shared the news that she was stepping down via Instagram earlier this week – becoming the first title holder in Miss USA’s 72-year history to relinquish her crow.
‘In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health,’ she wrote.
‘My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe.
‘Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.’
Noelia was awarded the title last September after campaigning on messages of anti-bullying, dating violence awareness and immigration reform. She was the first Venezuelan-American woman to win the pageant.
‘I realize this may come as a large shock to many,’ she captioned the post. ‘Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.’
Her resignation was followed by Miss Teen USA UmaSofia, who said in her own statement, ‘I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization’
Afterwards, an insider accused the Miss Universe Organization of creating ‘harmful workplace conditions’ and a ‘toxic atmosphere’ to the New York Post. Noelia is seen
Her resignation was quickly followed by Miss Teen USA UmaSofia, who said in her own statement, ‘After careful consideration, I’ve decided to resign as I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.’
She added in the caption, ‘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.
Afterwards, the New York Post reported that the winners were forced to sign strict contracts that said they had to smile at all times.
‘This toxic atmosphere is a serious concern. There is an urgent need for intervention at the leadership level,’ an insider told the publication.
In response to both resignations, former Miss USA titleholders released a joint statement, which was posted by Miss Wisconsin USA 2023 Alexis Loomans on her Instagram, demanding that Noelia be released from her non-disclosure agreement ‘so that she is free to speak on her experiences and time as Miss USA.’
‘Our goal is to give Noelia her voice back. We are asking for full transparency for contestants in the class of 2024 and beyond,’ it said.
The Miss USA Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
