VENICE — Noelia Voigt, who resigned Monday from the title of Miss USA, citing mental health concerns, said she hopes to continue to inspire others.
In an open letter on her social media page on Instagram, Voigt, who grew up in Nokomis, encouraged her fans and followers to “remain steadfast, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain.”
Voigt did not elaborate on the circumstances that caused her to step down.
The only statement made by pageant officials was made on the company's social media accounts.
“The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time,” the statement said. “We are currently reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor, and we will soon announce the crowning of the new Miss USA.”
In the letter Voigt posted on social media about her time as Miss USA 2023, she was introspective.
“In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health,” she wrote. “As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about ourselves.
Voigt attended Pine View School. She was crowned in November after being named Miss Utah earlier in the fall.
“My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe,” she wrote. “Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.”
“I am grateful for the love and support of the fans, old and new, my family, my friends, my coaches, former state and local directors, and my darling beloved Miss Teen USA, (UmaSofia Srivastava),” Voigt wrote. “Lifelong friendships and connections that I had the opportunity to make along the way while attending different events, and competing at state pageants, Miss USA, and Miss Universe are invaluable things I will be forever grateful for."
Like many pageant winners, Voigt had an opportunity to work with people at charities and for worthy causes. Voigt said that experience moved her.
“Every time someone asked me what my favorite part of being Miss USA was, I would always share with them how much I loved getting to work with Smile Train, being a fervent advocate for anti-bullying, dating violence awareness and prevention, immigration rights and reform, and shedding light on my roots as the first Venezuelan-American woman to win Miss USA."
She said the journey was a "childhood dream" that she couldn't have imagined living.
“Constant and consistent hard work and dedication all lead me to where I am today, and I hope that over the last seven years of competing in pageantry and sharing my journey with you all is something that inspires you to never give up on your dreams, whatever they may be," she stated.
Voigt said “eternal gratitude” fills her heart when she thinks about the platform she was given “to make a difference, the feeling of achieving a lifelong dream, and connecting with people all over the world, just as I said I would do on the Miss USA stage.
“Deep down I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me."
Voigt concluded the letter by saying, “How I wish I could hug all of you. I love you all with all of my heart and always will."
Voigt, daughter of Jackeline Voigt-Briceño and Jack Voigt of Nokomis, was crowned Miss USA 2023 at the Grand Sierra resort in Reno, Nevada.
She was first runner-up in Miss Florida Teen USA in 2017 and 2018 before heading to the University of Alabama. After being first runner-up for Miss Alabama USA in 2022 and 2023, she moved to Utah where she won the Miss Utah 2023 title, her entree to the Miss USA pageant.
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