A new Miss USA was titled amid unrest at the event.
"The recent appointment of a new Miss USA was not an easy choice, but I'm confident that this is the perfect opportunity for me to make a difference within this organization that I deeply care about," said the 28-year-old, who was crowned by the governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, at a ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Wednesday.
"I am committed to taking action and making a positive impact. With my background as a certified mental health first aid responder and training in anti-bullying suicide prevention, I understand the importance of prioritizing one's well-being and advocating for those in need. I believe that true change starts from within and I am determined to lead by example and empower the class of 2024 and beyond," she expressed to a crowd at a hotel in Waikiki, with a small aquarium in the background.
Gankiewicz has taken over the title from Noelia Voigt, who suddenly resigned earlier this month. Voigt cited mental health as her reason for stepping down, but her resignation letter to the Miss Universe organization, obtained by CNN, accused CEO Laylah Rose of "actively building a culture of fear and control."
Her claims included that Miss USA management frequently failed to provide her with travel accommodations or an "effective handler," which led to an incident where Voigt says she was sexually harassed during a Christmas parade event in Sarasota, Florida, while alone with an unnamed person in a car.
Just two days after Voigt's resignation, Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava also relinquished her title, stating on Instagram that her values "no longer fully align with the direction of the organization."
In her first official appearance since the controversy, Rose did not address any of the allegations. She welcomed Gankiewicz to the Miss USA family, telling her to "embrace this moment of influence and let your words carry the power of positive change," and thanked her corporate partners and sponsors for their "unwavering support."
Rose mentioned that this year's Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants would take place in Los Angeles and would be broadcast on the CW network.
The CW had signed a multi-year agreement to air the two pageants in April, but in light of the recent allegations, USA Today reported on Monday that the network was "evaluating" its relationship with the Miss USA organization.
The CW did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.
Chaos and turnover
At present, the Miss Teen USA position remains unfilled. The first runner-up from 2023, New York's Stephanie Skinner, has refused the crown in a public statement on Instagram.
On Tuesday, Voigt and Srivastava's mothers spoke out on "Good Morning America," saying that their daughters were still bound by strict non-disclosure agreements in their contracts and couldn't disclose their experiences.
"The job of their dreams turned into a nightmare," Barbara Srivastava said. "The girls decided to step down and give up their dream of a lifetime – a crown, a national title. Why would two girls give that up?"
During their reigning year, she added, their daughters were "ill-treated, abused, bullied, and cornered."
The Miss USA and Miss Universe Organization have not returned CNN's multiple requests for comment.
While many current Miss USA state titleholders publicly showed their support following Voigt's resignation, this week, the reigning Miss Colorado USA, Arianna Lemus, gave up her title completely.
"My values were compromised. Silencing women is not what pageantry is about," she told CNN Wednesday. "As a collective, the 2023 Miss USA class came together in solidarity with Noelia, but that wasn't enough for me... and that's why I resigned."
Gankiewicz is set to hold the Miss USA title for a brief period this summer, until a new contestant from the 2024 class of state titleholders takes the national crown in August at the next Miss USA pageant.
On Instagram, she acknowledged the limitations of her role, saying, "With the little time I have as Miss USA, it is my intention to bring attention and focus onto the rebuilding of Lahaina on my island of Maui. I also look forward to helping the 2024 delegates transition into a new era of Miss USA and supporting them on their own journeys towards the crown."
Lemus, on the other hand, called for immediate action to protect 2024 titleholders and beyond from restrictive contracts. Voigt's mother, Jackeline Voigt, said on "Good Morning America" that contestants should reconsider participating altogether.
"Look at what happened to Noelia and UmaSofia," she said. "Right now, it's not the right time to participate."
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In light of the challenging experiences faced by previous titleholders, Gankiewicz expressed her determination to make a positive impact on the organization, stating, "I believe in championing beauty with integrity and style, ensuring that every Miss USA embodies confidence, compassion, and resilience."
As Miss USA advocates for mental health and well-being, she plans to use her platform to highlight the importance of empowering individuals and fostering a supportive community, saying, "Let's leverage our shared passion for style and compassion to create a new standard of representation, inspiring future generations through the power of beauty and style, combined with kindness and heart."
Source: edition.cnn.com
