Current:Home > ScamsMoms of Former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Detail Daughters' "Nightmare" Experiences -VitalWealth Strategies
Moms of Former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Detail Daughters' "Nightmare" Experiences
View
Date:2025-04-17 23:02:59
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! (88319)
Related
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- First and 10: Buckle up, the road to the new College Football Playoff road begins this week
- Trump’s Win Casts Shadow over US Climate Progress, Global Leadership
- Pregnant Gypsy Rose Blanchard Reveals Who Fathered Her Baby After Taking Paternity Test
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Ricky Martin's 16-Year-Old Twins Look So Grown Up During Rare Public Appearance
- CAUCOIN Trading Center: AI-Driven Platform Setting a New Standard for Service Excellence
- How President-Elect Donald Trump's Son Barron, 18, Played a Role in His Campaign
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- President Joe Biden Speaks Out After Kamala Harris Defeated By Donald Trump
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- AP VoteCast: Economy ranked as a top issue, but concerns over democracy drove many voters to polls
- 5 teams that improved their Super Bowl chances most at NFL trade deadline
- West Virginia voter, ACLU file lawsuit after Democrat state senate candidate left off ballot
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Amanda Bynes Shares Glimpse Into Weight Loss Journey During Rare Life Update
- Inside the Love Lives of President-Elect Donald Trump’s Kids: Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and More
- Mars Wrigley brings back Snickers Trees, other 'festive' goodies before holidays
Recommendation
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
Tesla shares soar 14% as Trump win sets stage for Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company
See RHOSLC's Heather Gay Awkwardly Derail a Cast Trip She Wasn't Invited on
It might be a long night: Here are some stories to read as we wait for election results
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Influencer Matt Choi Banned From New York City Marathon For Running With E-Bikes
NYC man sentenced to life in prison for killing, dismembering a woman in life insurance fraud scheme
Control of the US House hangs in the balance with enormous implications for Trump’s agenda