'I am silenced': Netizens notice unusual 'secret message' in Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt’s resignation letter

The resignations of Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava have thrust the pageants' parent organisation into the spotlight, with both young women citing mental health and differences in values as their reasons for stepping down.

The upheaval began when Claudia Michelle, Miss USA's social media director, resigned on May 3, citing "workplace toxicity" within the organisation. Michelle claimed she had worked without compensation for two months, was not given proper staff, and believed management disrespected the winners. 

Michelle said she had worked closely with Miss USA Noelia Voigt and had seen "a decline in her mental health", which Voigt also mentioned when she resigned on Monday. The 24-year-old Venezuelan American was crowned in September.

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As for Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, Michelle said she had "firsthand seen the disrespect towards Uma and her family." 

"I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind," Michelle wrote, slamming the "unprofessional and inappropriate" way she felt management had spoken to Voigt and Srivastava.

Meanwhile, eagle-eyed fans of the Miss USA pageant noticed something unusual about Voigt’s resignation statement about her mental health on Instagram. The first letter of each sentence is spelt out as "I am silenced."

This is a brilliant way to call attention. When you read this, and the way the sentences are structured, there is no way this is coincidence. "I am silenced" is clear. This person is screaming "fire!" And this time, the theater is probably on fire.#MissUSA #NoeliaVoigt pic.twitter.com/f4EE9GRJN6

— Jonathan Doc Bradley,PhD 👨‍🏫🎓🪖🕺🇺🇸🖖🐈‍⬛🐗 (@PoliSciBasics) May 9, 2024

Many on social media reacted to the two women's resignations. One user wrote, "This is shocking. We all had an idea of the toxic work culture at the pageants but this is huge."

Another commented, "Internet sleuths say Noelia Voigt left hidden message in Miss USA resignation: 'I am silenced'." A third post read, "Maybe it's time to end these competitions.  Miss USA’s resignation letter accuses the organization of toxic work culture."

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Announcing her resignation on Monday, Voigt wrote on Instagram, "I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being. In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health. My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe. Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023."

Srivastava announced her resignation just two days after Voigt. "After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023," she wrote. "I am grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens, and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title. I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself."

(With inputs from agencies)