Current:Home > NewsMiss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz takes Miss USA crown after Noelia Voigt resignation -RiseUp Capital Academy
Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz takes Miss USA crown after Noelia Voigt resignation
View
Date:2025-04-14 06:37:35
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! (98)
Related
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Fontes blocked from using new rule to certify election results when counties refuse to
- Yankees' Anthony Rizzo fractures fingers in season's penultimate game
- Oasis adds US, Canada and Mexico stops to 2025 tour
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Climate Impacts Put Insurance Commissioner Races in the Spotlight
- A handcuffed Long Island man steals a patrol car after drunk driving arrest, police say
- Former child star Maisy Stella returns to her 'true love' with 'My Old Ass'
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Helene leaves 'biblical devastation' as death toll climbs to 90: Updates
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Cities are using sheep to graze in urban landscapes and people love it
- Kailyn Lowry Shares Why She Just Developed a Strategy for Dealing With Internet Trolls
- SNL Introduces Its 2024 Presidential Election Cast Playing Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and More
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- MLB playoff scenarios: NL wild card race coming down to the wire
- Montana man to be sentenced for cloning giant sheep to breed large sheep for captive trophy hunts
- 'Say it again': Deion Sanders revels in Colorado's 4-1 start after big win over UCF
Recommendation
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Calls to cops show specialized schools in Michigan are failing students, critics say
University imposes a one-year suspension on law professor over comments on race
Budget-Strapped Wyoming Towns Race for Federal Funds To Fix Aging Water, Sewer Systems
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Nebraska law enforcement investigating after fatal Omaha police shooting
Ryan Williams vs Jeremiah Smith: Does Alabama or Ohio State have nation's best freshman WR?
Stuck NASA astronauts welcome SpaceX capsule that’ll bring them home next year