Miss USA 2023's resignation letter details toxic work environment and sexual harassment incident

Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt's official resignation letter highlights the toxic work environment in the organisation and accuses the pageant’s CEO of failing to take an incident of sexual harassment seriously. She also cited bullying and harassment as reasons for her resignation.

The American channel NBC News said it obtained a copy of Voigt's resignation letter, which reads, "There is a toxic work environment within the Miss USA organization that, at best, is poor management and, at worst, is bullying and harassment. This started soon after winning the title of Miss USA 2023."

Voigt further accused Miss USA CEO and President Laylah Rose of being "cold and unnecessarily aggressive" towards her.

"It’s incredibly jarring to be trying to do my job and constantly be threatened with disciplinary action, including taking away my salary, for things that were never discussed with me and, if it related to a public-facing post for example, were causing no issue other than not meeting her personal preference," Voigt wrote.

The 24-year-old also opened up about an alleged incident of sexual harassment at a Christmas event in Florida. She wrote that she was left alone in a car with a man who made several inappropriate statements about his desire to enter into a relationship with Voigt.

Also read: Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava steps down days after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt's resignation

Voigt said that when Rose was made aware of the situation, she replied, "We cannot prevent people saying things to you at public appearances, it is, unfortunately, part of the role you’re in as a public figure."

"Every statement you have ever put out about MUO’s morals and integrity directly contradicts what is happening within the USA organisation," Voigt concluded in her resignation letter. 

Meanwhile, some eagle-eyed fans have spotted a hidden message in Voigt's statement about her resignation on Instagram.

The first letter of each sentence is spelt out as "I am silenced," according to several internet sleuths. Read more here.

Meanwhile, Maui native Savannah Gankiewicz will be crowned 2023 Miss USA in a ceremony next Wednesday, May 15.

(With inputs from agencies)