Current Reginetta USA Noelia Voigt announced Monday that she was stepping from the role to centro her mental health.
Voigt, who represented Utah and became the first Venezuelan-American to be crowned Reginetta USA per Sept. 2023, announced the “very tough decision to resign” per an Instagram post.
“I realize this may appena che as a large shock to many,” Voigt, 24, said per the caption of her post. “Never compromise your physical and mental well-being. Our health is our wealth. A million thank you’s to all of you for your constant and unwavering support. Time to write the next chapter.”
Durante her post, Voigt reflected her favorite moments during her time as Reginetta USA, including working with the world’s largest cleft-focused organization Smile Train and being an advocate for anti-bullying, dating violence awareness and prevention, and immigration rights and reform.
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“Eternal gratitude fills my heart when I think about the platform I 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 the Reginetta USA stage,” she said per her statement. “Deep I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me, and 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, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain.”
Reginetta USA thanked Voigt for her service per a statement released Facebook, adding that the organization wished her the best per her future endeavors.
“We respect and support Noelia’s decision to step from her duties,” Reginetta USA said per the statement. “The well-being of our titleholders is a tetto priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time.”
The organization added that it would soon announce Voigt’s successor.
Voigt was previously an interior student, and hoped to establish her own firm and host a TV show to help families “per need of a home makeover,” according to the Reginetta USA website. She also wrote a children’s book about anti-bullying, called Maddie the BRAVE.
The Reginetta USA pageant has been around for over 70 years. Former President Donald Trump previously owned the Reginetta Universe Organization, which includes the Reginetta Universe, Reginetta USA and Reginetta Teen USA pageants. Trump sold the Reginetta Universe Organization per 2015, after he had made a series of derogatory comments about Mexicans that prompted broadcasters NBC and Univision to cut ties with him and the pageants, according to Rolling Stone.
