Current:Home > MyMiss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz takes Miss USA crown after Noelia Voigt resignation -Elite Financial Minds
Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz takes Miss USA crown after Noelia Voigt resignation
View
Date:2025-04-14 11:24:00
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! (77)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Marlie Giles' home run helps Alabama eliminate Duke at Women's College World Series
- Oregon defendants without a lawyer must be released from jail, US appeals court says
- Pregnant Hailey Bieber Gives Shoutout to Baby Daddy Justin Bieber
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Missy Elliott is ditching sweets to prepare to tour, says her dog is 'like my best friend'
- Marian Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama who lived in the White House, dies at 86
- Anal sex is stigmatized due to homophobia, experts say. It's time we start talking about it.
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Kyra Sedgwick and the lighter side of disability in All of Me
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- French Open institutes alcohol ban after unruly fan behavior
- Watch Live: Explosive Iceland volcano eruption shoots lava across roads and sends pollution toward the capital
- 3 Beauty Pros Reveal How to Conceal Textured Skin Without Caking On Products
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Video shows anti-Islam activist among those stabbed in Germany knife attack
- The ANC party that freed South Africa from apartheid loses its 30-year majority in landmark election
- In historic move, Vermont becomes 1st state to pass law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change damages
Recommendation
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer rips reporter who called his team 'lifeless' in Game 5 loss
Eiza González Defends Jennifer Lopez After Singer Cancels Tour
Alleged 'serial slingshot shooter' dies a day after bonding out of California jail
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
'Knives Out' 3 new cast reveals include Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington: What to know
Nicki Minaj cancels Amsterdam concert after reported drug arrest there last weekend
Jennifer Lopez cancels This is Me ... Now tour to spend time with family: I am completely heartsick