Moms of Miss USA beauty queens say they were 'abused and bullied' but can't speak

The moms of former Miss USA and miss Teen USA say their daughters were systemically abused and bullied by the organization but are silenced by strict nondisclosure agreements.

Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and former Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned from their titles within days of each other in a shock to the Miss Universe Organization.

Their moms spoke out on Tuesday, telling told Good Morning America their daughters decided to step down after 'The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare.'
'It's about how they were ill-treated: abused, bullied and cornered,' said Barbara Srivastava

Jackeline Voigt said her daughter has been silenced, and will be for the 'rest of her life,' if the NDA she is under remains in place.
'The girls need to speak,' Jackeline aid, adding that her daughter received unwanted sexual advances at a Christmas parade.

Jaqueline said she saw her daughter 'so stressed out' after a man at the event asked her if she was 'into old men with money.'

'This is not what she worked so hard for,' Jackeline said.

The mothers said the Miss Universe organization needs to apologize and 'clean up this mess.'

The moms encouraged parents to think hard about whether they want their daughters to be part of the Miss Universe and Miss USA organizations.

'It's not the right time,' said Jaqueline.

Her daughter Noelia, crowned in September 2023, was the first Venezuelan American to win her title.

The title was a 'childhood dream' and stepping down was a 'very tough decision,' the former Miss Utah and University of Alabama student said in an Instagram post announcing her resignation.

'My hope is that I continue to inspire others to remain steadfast, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice,' the 24-year-old wrote.

Alongside the statement, Voigt added a caption that read, 'I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.' She then thanked fans for their 'unwavering support.'
Srivastava, who was also crowned last September, announced her resignation in her own post on Instagram on Wednesday.

'I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,' the former Miss New Jersey Teen USA wrote.

The 17-year-old thanked her family and fans, said she was glad to represent her state as a first-generation Mexican Indian American and noted she was eager to apply to colleges and work on her multi-lingual children’s book.

A caption accompanying the statement said 'this was certainly not how I saw my reign coming to a close' but called the experience a privilege.

Insiders told the New York Post that the models were forced into harsh and iron-clad contracts to keep appearances up, despite suffering in 'harmful workplace conditions.'

'This toxic atmosphere is a serious concern. There is an urgent need for intervention at the leadership level', they said.

Top managers at the organization were allegedly so toxic that Srivastava's parents recently refused to allow Miss USA Organization's president Laylah Rose to speak with the model directly.