UmaSofia Srivastava quits as Miss Teen USA 2023

Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava is relinquishing her crown, less than eight months after making history by winning the title — and just two days after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt announced her own resignation.

The New Jersey teen announced her decision on Instagram Wednesday, May 8, sharing that her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,” People magazine reported.

“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.”

Srivastava, the author of the multilingual children’s book ‘The White Jaguar,’ vowed to continue her work as an advocate for “education and acceptance” with The Lotus Petal Foundation and the Bridge of Books Foundation.

“Ultimately, working with these incredible non-profits and seeing the first-hand impact that The White Jaguar has had on the kids and adults I’ve read it to is what has forged my legacy,” she wrote. “This work has always been my TRUE purpose.”

Shortly after Srivastava’s post, the Miss Teen USA organization wished the high school junior well in a post on Instagram, and noted that a new title-holder would be announced soon.

“UmaSofia, we are wishing you all the best.❤️ Thank you for your service as Miss Teen USA. 👑 ,” the organization wrote. “We respect and support UmaSofia’s decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority. We are currently reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor, and we will soon announce the crowning of the new Miss Teen USA.”

Srivastava made history last fall when she was crowned the first Mexican-Indian Miss Teen USA. “IS THIS REAL??? I am so grateful and honored that I’m the first Mexican-Indian, first New Jersey, your MISS TEEN USA 2023!!!” the teen wrote on social media at the time.

“This night is truly the best night of my life because I was crowned with the people that have loved and supported me throughout everything cheering for me in the audience.”

She continued, “The class of 2023 is truly so special. Getting to stand along side each of my intelligent, impactful, and beautiful sisters already made me the luckiest girl in the world, I have so much more to say, but for everyone who believed that a girl like me could win, who had a kind word to say or thought to think for me this week, I am so so grateful. I’m yours USA!!!!”

Srivastava’s resignation came days after Voigt also announced that she was resigning from the title.

“I realize this may come as a large shock to many,” Voigt, 24, said in an Instagram post announcing the decision, which was shared on Monday, May 6. “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,” she wrote in a statement. “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.”