Current:Home > ScamsMiss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz takes Miss USA crown after Noelia Voigt resignation -TradeWise
Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz takes Miss USA crown after Noelia Voigt resignation
View
Date:2025-04-12 10:11:20
Less than two weeks after former Miss USA Noelia Voigt resigned, Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz has officially taken the title.
The model and activist was crowned Wednesday in a ceremony broadcast live from Waikiki, Hawaii. Gankiewicz, 28, was crowned by Hawaii Gov. Dr. Josh Green, according to CNN and Entertainment Tonight.
"While this decision was not made lightly, I firmly believe that this opportunity was meant for me and I am ready to make a positive impact with this organization that I hold dear to my heart," Gankiewicz said, according to the outlets.
The contentious Miss USA title was originally held by Voigt until May 6, when the former Miss Utah relinquished her Miss USA crown to preserve her mental health.
Miss USA and Miss Teen USA'smoms say they were 'abused, bullied, and cornered'
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Voigt said in a lengthy Instagram post that her resignation might "come as a large shock to many," but shared a word of advice with readers: "Never compromise your physical and mental well-being. Our health is our wealth."
On May 9, Miss USA announced that Miss Hawaii had stepped in to complete the final three months of Voigt's vacated seat.
"I fully support and respect Noelia's decision to step down, and I stand in solidarity with mental health awareness," Gankiewicz said in a statement shared on social media at the time. She added, "To my fellow Miss USA sisters, I believe it's crucial for us to stand united for the future of the organization and the incoming class of 2024 and beyond.
"I pledge my wholehearted support to the new delegates who have dedicated themselves to their state pageants, and I am committed to ensuring a seamless and memorable transition between Miss USA titleholders."
Former Miss USA staffersays organization caused pageant winners' mental health to decline
Comments were limited on the joint post, which was a collaborative effort by the Miss USA, Miss Hawaii USA and Gankiewicz's Instagram accounts.
Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned from her title within days of Voigt, sharing in an Instagram statement that her "personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization."
Miss USA resignations:CW 'evaluating' relationship with pageants ahead of live ceremonies
That title's runner-up, Miss NY Teen USA Stephanie Skinner, declined her invitation to replace Srivastava.
Srivastava, in a post on her Instagram story shortly after Miss USA's resignation, quoted Michelle Obama's famous motto, "When they go low, we go high."
She also shared a message: "Please do not send hate to anyone, while we can't control what is said about us, we can control what we say about others. Even if that means overlooking attacks on one's character."
2024's Miss USA and Miss Teen USA will be crowned in August.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson
veryGood! (74544)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Ohio Supreme Court sides with pharmacies in appeal of $650 million opioid judgment
- Analysis: After Juan Soto’s megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
- New York Climate Activists Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign ‘Superfund’ Bill
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- PACCAR recalls over 220,000 trucks for safety system issue: See affected models
- Pakistan ex
- How Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen Navigate Their Private Romance on Their Turf
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Fortnite OG is back. Here's what to know about the mode's release, maps and game pass.
Ranking
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- What is Sora? Account creation paused after high demand of AI video generator
- Is that Cillian Murphy as a zombie in the '28 Years Later' trailer?
- Orcas are hunting whale sharks. Is there anything they can't take down?
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Morgan Wallen's Chair Throwing Case Heading to Criminal Court
- Philippines' VP Sara Duterte a no
- 'Yellowstone' Season 5, Part 2: Here's when the final episode comes out and how to watch
Recommendation
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
Hougang murder: Victim was mum of 3, moved to Singapore to provide for family
South Korea opposition leader Lee says impeaching Yoon best way to restore order
Man identifying himself as American Travis Timmerman found in Syria after being freed from prison
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
Small plane crashes onto New York highway, killing 1 person and injuring another
KISS OF LIFE reflects on sold
'Unimaginable situation': South Korea endures fallout from martial law effort