Current:Home > StocksMiss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz takes Miss USA crown after Noelia Voigt resignation -FundSphere
Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz takes Miss USA crown after Noelia Voigt resignation
View
Date:2025-04-23 09:42:29
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! (33185)
Related
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- 'The price of admission for us is constant hate:' Why a Holocaust survivor quit TikTok
- As Taylor Swift cheers for Travis Kelce and Chiefs, some Eagles fans feel 'betrayed'
- Joe Flacco signs with Browns, but team sticking with rookie QB Thompson-Robinson for next start
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Michigan continues overhaul of gun laws with extended firearm ban for misdemeanor domestic violence
- College football bowl eligibility picture. Who's in? Who's out? Who's still alive
- Shakira Reveals Why She Decided to Finally Resolve Tax Fraud Case for $7.6 Million
- Small twin
- Nearly 1,000 Rohingya refugees arrive by boat in Indonesia’s Aceh region in one week
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Cara Delevingne Says BFF Taylor Swift’s Relationship With Travis Kelce Is Very Different
- Kansas keeps lead, Gonzaga enters top 10 of USA TODAY Sports men's college basketball poll
- Key L.A. freeway hit by arson fire reopens weeks earlier than expected
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- A new study says the global toll of lead exposure is even worse than we thought
- Israel reveals signs of Hamas activity at Shifa, but a promised command center remains elusive
- Shakira strikes plea deal on first day of Spain tax evasion trial, agrees to pay $7.6M
Recommendation
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Ukrainians who fled their country for Israel find themselves yet again living with war
Israel battles Hamas near another Gaza hospital sheltering thousands
California Highway Patrol officer fatally shoots man walking on freeway, prompting investigation
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
'The price of admission for us is constant hate:' Why a Holocaust survivor quit TikTok
Get headaches from drinking red wine? New research explores why.
Joe Flacco signs with Browns, but team sticking with rookie QB Thompson-Robinson for next start