Let’s Improve Pageants after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt’s Resignation

Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt announced her resignation this week. The pageant world was in shock, and fans eagerly awaited Dani Walker’s video about the situation. If you have not watched it already, I highly recommend you watch through the video before I discuss further. Dani is one of my favorite pageant content creators that focuses on pageant news and tips for contestants. She really takes the time to research her work like an investigative journalist, and provides valuable insights like a business consultant would. I hope we can use this as a learning lesson to improve pageants for the future.

In line with my goals for Lashes and Sashes, I’m dedicating this post to discussing what we can learn from Noelia’s resignation, and how we can improve the pageant experience for contestants, titleholders, staff, and directors. I only wish each person who experiences pageantry firsthand to find value, insight, and gratitude, so it hurts to see how pageants have affected the mental health of beautiful souls like Noelia. Dani discussed some great points regarding having an HR department, and time to review the contract with an attorney. Here are some other pieces I mentioned on my podcast. Please note I recorded this prior to watching Dani’s video.

How I believe we can Improve Pageants

Transparent Communication

For pageants to adapt to our modern, technological world, we need to have accessible information that is available in real-time. At the very least, we should be marketing a pageant and building trust for a pageant through transparent communication, much like we do for other businesses. When there is so much discussion about NDAs and overall uncertainty of what is going on, pageant fans will be concerned, suspicious, and create their own assumptions if the pageant does not clarify the situation themselves. Something I liked about competing at Nation of States is that we were provided the contract for the national titleholder to already sign and review in advance so we could review it even if we did not get crowned. Another transparent item I think contestants would appreciate seeing is the judge’s manual. It would be a great way for contestants to practice their pageants, like mock interviews. Ironically, the NDA may have tarnished the brand more than not having one at all.

Pageants should Recognize Rooms for Improvement

Acknowledging our own faults is challenging in today’s world of “Cancel Culture,” but personally, I think it shows ownership and accountability so long as there is actionable steps in place to improve long-term. Even if there was no malicious intent, if the consequence ends up hurting anyone, we can be empathetic and understanding of how we can do better. I think Hannah Brown, former Miss Alabama USA turned reality star, was a great example as she demonstrated on her interview with former Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford.

If the Miss America 2.0 team apologized to Cara for limiting her voice, perhaps in a public interview with her to discuss how they can improve, I think Cara and the pageant fans would have appreciated that. If the former Miss USA team apologized to the women harassed by Max Sebrechts, and he was served justice by paying a penalty to those women (and honestly paying his former wife Crystle Stewart, because he should have been charged an infidelity clause), perhaps we would have been more forgiving of the situation. We cannot have elephants in the room, and we need to listen to all key stakeholders on how to improve pageants.

Prioritize Mental Health

As Noelia, Claudia, and Christina Lee stated – the titleholder’s mental health is more valuable than the title itself. Pageants are meant to build us up, make us stronger emotionally, and provide joy. Especially for it to be such a luxury in our world. Mental health is one of the foundational pillars we should continually improve upon and prepare for when competing and becoming a titleholder. This is also why I am against pageant trolls and “fans” that speak so negatively about contestants. Even if you do not favor or agree with a contestant, it does not mean it is fair or okay to put them down and make them feel bad. No title is worth jeopardizing your well being.

The Many Aspects of a Pageant Director

There is so much that goes into being a pageant director, especially for a large production like Miss USA. While I think it is fair we hold the current Miss USA team accountable, it does not mean it is okay to bash Laylah Rose or put her down either. There is so much that goes into running Miss USA I would not know who could have the bandwidth of running every aspect of it smoothly. This includes but is not limited to

• Sponsorships: This pageant is a business, and the sponsorship deals and partnerships need to be a win-win for the pageant and sponsor. This also includes the major prize packages.
• Titleholder Events: There is a high expectation for Miss USA to be in major events on a regular basis as part of her job. In this way, it’s not just about the actual pageant, but the entire year of activities.
• Pageant Competition: A lot goes into organizing the pageant experience for all state contestants. Arranging the host city, activities, and many other aspects from check-in and orientation to the pageant finale
• Television Broadcasting production: I do commend Laylah for establishing a 3 year contract with the CW so it can air on primetime. That is no easy feat, and many pageant fans have been asking about Miss USA and Miss America being broadcasted on live television like it was in the past during the “glory days.”

Who would take the position as Miss USA?

I can’t imagine what type of pressure the first runner up is going through right now whether to take the Miss USA title or not. Many people are encouraging all state titleholders to not take the Miss USA title for the remaining two months, but I understand where that could be so challenging. I remember pouring my heart and soul into the state pageant because I wanted to win so bad, so why would I choose to turn down the opportunity if it was presented to me? Especially for these girls competing year after year and then going all out in the national pageant. There is such a large financial and time investment with Miss USA, but with this situation also comes much uncertainty of how holding the title would be.

Support Noelia Voigt

Wherever Noelia Voigt goes next in her life, whether it’s in interior design, in Virginia, or even still in pageantry, we can collectively support her next endeavors and also pray for her as she focuses on her mental health. She is deserving of being Miss USA. I remember she trained for Miss Florida Teen USA like she was going to Miss Universe. And when she left her home, job, and family to go after Miss Utah USA, I couldn’t imagine how hard that sacrifice was for her. She never gave up on her dreams, and continues to do everything with such grace and poise. Thank you Noelia for being an incredible Miss USA and inspiration to all women!