Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava Relinquishes Crown

Photo: Themissteenusa.com

WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – UmaSofia Srivastava, the current Miss Teen USA, gave up her crown just two days after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt announced that she had relinquished hers.

Taking to her official social media handle, the 17-year-old UmaSofia wrote her reasons for relinquishing her crown.

“After careful consideration, I’ve decided to resign as I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,” Srivastava shared in a statement on Instagram, adding, “However, I will continue my relentless advocacy for education and acceptance.”

“…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,” she added.

The pageant winner stated she would focus on completing her junior year in high school “as part of the National Honor Society and start the college application process, knowing that my academic career has been defined by my hard work and my hard work alone”.

Meanwhile, the organizers of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants issued a joint statement that read, “We respect and support former Miss USA Noelia Voigt’s decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself currently.”

Srivastava, the 16-year-old high school Junior at the Academy of St Elizabeth had become the first Mexican Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA earlier this year.

“IS THIS REAL??? I am so grateful and honored that I’m the first Mexican Indian, first New Jersey, your MISS TEEN USA 2023!!!” Srivastava had written excitedly on social media after winning the coveted title.

She speaks English, Spanish, Hindi, and French, and hopes to become a UN Ambassador.

She works with the Lotus Petal Foundation to help underprivileged children in India receive a well-rounded education, proper nutrition, and healthcare.

A co-founder of the Diversity & Inclusion campaign at her school, Srivastava also participates in Mock Trial and Model United Nations, according to her pageant biography.

She has authored and illustrated a book, “The White Jaguar”, which she says, is to inspire people of all ages to embrace what makes them unique.

Also, a pianist, Srivastava runs her own blog, That’s Fan Behavior, where she writes about her experience as a woman of color and current events.

Miss New York Teen USA Stephanie Skinner was named first runner-up and Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA Maggie Ross was second runner-up in the pageant.