A new Miss USA has been crowned!
Miss Utah Noelia Voigt secured the title of Miss USA 2023 during the competition held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. Voigt triumphed over the runner-up, Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz, and the second runner-up, Miss Wisconsin Alexis Loomans, to claim the coveted crown. Morgan Romano, who assumed the Miss USA 2022 title after the original winner, R’Bonney Gabriel, was crowned Miss Universe, had the honor of presenting Voigt with her crown.
Voigt expressed her anticipation for the pageant on Instagram, stating that her seven years of pageant experience had led her to this moment. She conveyed her sense of peace and readiness to connect with the judges and showcase her true self during the competition.
In a significant milestone, Voigt also reflected on becoming the first Venezuelan-American to hold the title of Miss Utah. She expressed her commitment to breaking barriers and bridging cultural divides within her community, given her ability to speak Spanish and connect with Utah’s large Hispanic population.
This year’s pageant introduced Laylah Rose as the new Miss USA president. Rose, a fashion designer and CEO of the VIP Pageantry television network, made significant changes to the competition. Notably, she adjusted the scoring system, with the interview round now accounting for 50 percent of the final vote, while the swimsuit and evening-gown rounds each contribute 25 percent. This change aimed to highlight the individuality of the contestants and the importance of their interviews.
Rose emphasized that the competition was about more than appearances, as the contestants were dedicated to supporting their platforms and making a positive impact in the philanthropy world. She aimed to shed light on this aspect of the competition, underlining the women’s efforts to break barriers and effect positive change.
Another noteworthy change was the decision to avoid political questions during the final round, allowing contestants to have a more personal moment on stage. Additionally, Rose introduced the use of Tally Genie, a voting system designed for the pageant industry.
In previous years, the pageant faced allegations of rigging in favor of Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel, the first Filipino-American woman to be crowned Miss USA in 2022. Gabriel and the organization denied these allegations, deeming them based on perception rather than truth.
After being crowned Miss Universe 2022, Gabriel spoke about her preparedness to face negativity and haters, aiming to set an example of resilience and determination. She encouraged others to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, sharing her three-year journey of relentless dedication to achieving the crown.