Noelia Voigt on Thursday made her first red carpet appearance since news spread of her shocking resignation as Miss USA, amid speculation she used the first letter of each sentence in her exit letter to communicate the message ‘I AM SILENCED.’
The beauty queen, 24, was pictured at the New York City photography museum Fotografiska New York for PEOPLE: Celebrating 50 Years, an event commemorating People magazine’s 50th anniversary.
Voigt, who cited protecting her mental health as a reason she was returning her crown, donned a shoulderless gray midi length tulle dress while carrying a striped crystal clutch purse, with strappy silver heels.
Voigt, whose exit has sparked discussion about a toxic work atmosphere in the upper echelons of the Miss USA organization, had her lustrous brown locks parted to the side and wore large earrings.
Voigt thanked the publication for having her to the event in an Instagram post, calling it an ‘an honor to celebrate’ the magazine’s milestone alongside some incredibly iconic people.
Noelia Voigt, 24, on Thursday made her first red carpet appearance since news spread of her shocking resignation as Miss USA, for an event commemorating People magazine’s 50th anniversary at the New York City photography museum Fotografiska New York
Voigt’s post sparked speculation she used the first letter of each sentence in her exit letter to communicate the message ‘I AM SILENCED’
Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA last September representing Utah, wrapped up her caption in saying, ‘What a night.’
On her Instagram Stories, Voigt said she crossed paths with celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli, 54, at the Big Apple bash, describing her as ‘THE COOLEST’ person.
‘She asked if I was alone, I said yes, and she said “Not anymore, come on you’re staying with with me, let’s go get a drink” and then I proceeded to hang out with her the whole event.’
Voigt added of the the Food Network personality: ‘So amazing to meet someone you are a fan of and see that they are a beautiful human.’
Voigt was seen enjoying a slice of pizza from the establishment Joe’s Pizza NYC, adding that she was ending her night on the tasty note.
Voigt’s resignation sparked speculation from fans, who said they spotted a hidden message in her leaving statement.
Voigt’s resignation was quickly followed by Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, also quitting on Wednesday, saying in her own statement that her values ‘no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.’
The sudden resignations from the beauty queens come amid allegations of a ‘toxic’ environment surrounding the Miss USA Organization including workplace bullying, strict contracts forcing contestants to smile at all times and widespread mental health issues among the contestants.
Voigt donned a shoulderless gray midi length tulle dress while carrying a striped crystal clutch purse, with strappy silver heels
Voigt had her lustrous brown locks parted to the side and wore large earrings
Voigt’s exit has sparked discussion about a toxic work atmosphere in the Miss USA organization ranks
Voigt’s mental health sharply declined while serving as Miss USA, saying she suffered from ‘micromanaging to the 10th degree and harassing,’ a source told the New York Post
In the adjacent comment section, a number of Voigt’s friends, fans and followers lauded her bravery and strength as she stepped out following the public resignation.
‘When you create your own reign,’ actress Brooke Ashley Rose Johnson said, while pageant coach Jules Meyer said, ‘Taking the “reigns” of your destiny! So proud of you always!’
Multiple users pointed out that the exposure and awareness Voigt has garnered with her resignation this week far eclipsed that of the previous seven months with the Miss USA promotional machine behind her.
‘More and better appearances after resigning in two days,’ one user said. ‘They were keeping you in cage.
‘God is uplifting you higher and higher. No more community super model appearances. Proud of you queen.’
Another user noted that they were ‘glad [Voigt] resigned,’ as they felt Miss USA officials were ineffective in garnering her a national platform to promote herself and the pageant on.
‘We didn’t even get to see her on most of the national news after she was crowned,’ the user said. ‘She went to community stations to do post crowning interviews.
‘Girl is more popular in three days than 8 months of being MissUSA.’
Said another user: ‘The glow is already returning. It feels like in two days you’ve been able to do more on your own than in your entire 8 months. So happy for you.’
On her Instagram Stories, Voigt said she crossed paths with celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli, 54, at the Big Apple bash, describing her as ‘THE COOLEST’ person.
Voigt was seen enjoying a slice of pizza from the establishment Joe’s Pizza NYC, adding that she was ending her night on the tasty note
In the adjacent comment section, a number of Voigt’s friends, fans and followers lauded her bravery and strength as she stepped out following the public resignation
Multiple users pointed out that the exposure and awareness Voigt has garnered with her resignation this week far eclipsed that of the previous seven months with the Miss USA promotional machine behind her
An insider told the New York Post Wednesday that Voigt’s mental health sharply declined while serving as Miss USA, saying she suffered from ‘micromanaging to the 10th degree and harassing.
‘Noelia wakes up every day on pins and needles because of harassing emails [from pageant organizers]: “Don’t do this,” “Don’t do that,” “Take that post down,” “Unlike that post.”‘
The source added that Voigt would be told to ‘remember your NDA’ constantly, and Miss USA organization president Laylah Rose would allegedly post to social media under Voigt and Srivastava’s handles on a whim.
The Miss USA organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
In the days before Voigt’s resignation, the organization’s social media manager Claudia Michelle also stepped down, writing in her own statement that ‘being offered your dream job and seeing that it was anything but was so disheartening.’
Michelle added, ‘This is a women’s empowerment organization and my hope in making this statement is to restore some of the empowerment back to these titleholders that was so deeply lost in their year.’
Michelle claimed she was left to manage Voigt’s social media almost entirely alone, and during her time working with the 24-year-old she ‘unfortunately (saw) a decline in her mental health.’
Michelle added that Voigt’s ‘ability to share her story and her platform have been diminished’ and that she witnessed ‘disrespect’ directed at Srivastava.
‘I believe their voices and their stories should be heard and not silenced,’ Michelle wrote. ‘I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind.’
Voigt became the first title holder in Miss USA’s 72-year history to relinquish her crown, since becoming champion seven months ago at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada
Eagle-eyed fans spotted an apparent hidden message in her resignation statement, with the first letter of each sentence spelling out, ‘I AM SILENCED’
Voigt’s resignation was quickly followed by Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava (pictured together), who said her values ‘no longer fully align with the direction of the organization’
Miss USA Organization social media manager Claudia Michelle (center) also resigned, and insiders alleged that the trio decided to quit together and strategically time their statements
Voigt allegedly suffered from ‘micromanaging to the 10th degree and harassing’ while reigning as Miss USA, and was reportedly often reminded to ‘remember your NDA’
The parents of Miss Teen USA UmaSodia Srivastava (pictured being crowned seven months ago) have reportedly banned the organization’s president from speaking to their daughter amid the controversy
Srivastava’s statement thanked her supporters for ‘who I am and have always been, not for who I’ve momentarily become’, alongside a pointed quote from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche
The issues alluded to in Michelle’s statement were echoed by insiders speaking to The Post, who said the contestants have iron-clad contracts to smile despite ‘harmful workplace conditions.
‘This toxic atmosphere is a serious concern,’ they told The Post. ‘There is an urgent need for intervention at the leadership level.’
An insider also alleged that Voigt, Srivastava and Michelle all agreed to resign together, and timed their statements strategically.
‘The decision was not easy. Noelia and UmaSofia are extremely dedicated people who worked incredibly hard for the pageant. The decisions were not taken lightly. They all decided to do this together,’ the insider said.
Miss USA Organization president Laylah Rose would allegedly post under contestants’ social media handles
‘They are afraid of speaking out more at this time because of the organization. They don’t want this to have any lasting harmful effect on their futures.’
While Voigt’s apparently coded statement focused on her appreciation for the organization and her ‘pride’ over her participation, Srivastava’s statement alluded more pointedly to issues.
‘I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization’ Srivastava said. ‘Most importantly, thank you to those who support me for who I am and have always been, not for who I’ve momentarily become.’
The statement also included a quote from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, reading: ‘There are no beautiful surfaces without a terrible depth.’
The insider told The Post that the ‘toxic’ environment surrounding the pageants has become so dysfunctional that Srivastava’s parents refuse to let Miss USA Organization president Laylah Rose speak to their daughter.
‘All correspondence had to go through her parents. Her parents meet weekly with the Miss Universe Organization to try and get things to change with Miss USA but nothing ever gets done. No changes, no nothing,’ they said.
An insider spoke out to claim that contestants like Voigt (pictured) have iron-clad contracts to smile despite ‘harmful workplace conditions’
Voigt’s fellow competitors took her side this week in a joint statement, calling for her to be released from her NDA ‘to give Noelia her voice back’
The Miss USA Organization was bought by trans Thai businesswoman Anne Jakkaphong (pictured) in 2022
As the decades-old competition faces controversy, Voigt’s fellow competitors took her side this week in a joint statement posted on multiple social media accounts.
Contestants said the ‘majority of the members of the Miss USA class of 2023’ support her decision, and called for her to be released from confidentiality clauses in her NDA.
‘We are asking the Miss USA Organization to release Noelia from the confidentiality NDA clause of her contract, in perpetuity, so that she is free to speak on her experiences and time as Miss USA,’ the statement read. ‘We request a response within 24 hours.
‘Our goal is to give Noelia her voice back. We are asking for full transparency for contestants in the class of 2024 and beyond.’
During his time in office, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a letter people believed to be using the same coded message style fans think Voigt incorporated into her exit letter.
Schwarzenegger’s purported hidden message was embedded in an October 2009 letter sent to former California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, who previously told the then-governor to ‘Kiss my gay a**’ amid political disagreements.
In Schwarzenegger’s letter vetoing a bill, the first letter of each word cumulatively spelled out the phrase, ‘F*** YOU.’
Asked about the hidden message in March of 2010, Schwarzenegger said the arrangement in letters and message sent ‘was a total coincidence’ and ‘one of those wild coincidences,’ according to The Huffington Post.
