Moms of Miss USA beauty queens say they were 'abused and bullied' but can't speak out because of strict NDAs

The moms of former Miss USA and miss Teen USA say their daughters were systemically abused and bullied by the organization but are silenced by strict nondisclosure agreements. 

Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and former Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned from their titles within days of each other in a shock to the Miss Universe Organization.

Their moms spoke out on Tuesday, telling told Good Morning America their daughters decided to step down after 'The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare.'

'It's about how they were ill-treated: abused, bullied and cornered,' said Barbara Srivastava

Jackeline Voigt said her daughter has been silenced, and will be for the 'rest of her life,' if the NDA she is under remains in place.

Barbara Srivastava (left) and Jackeline Voigt have spoken out about their daughters' resignations from Miss USA and Miss Teen USA

Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt (right) and former Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned from their titles within days of each other

'The girls need to speak,' Jackeline aid, adding that her daughter received unwanted sexual advances at a Christmas parade.

Jaqueline said she saw her daughter 'so stressed out' after a man at the event asked her if she was 'into old men with money.'

'This is not what she worked so hard for,' Jackeline said. 

The mothers said the Miss Universe organization needs to apologize and 'clean up this mess.' 

The moms encouraged parents to think hard about whether they want their daughters to be part of the Miss Universe and Miss USA organizations.

'It's not the right time,' said Jaqueline.

Her daughter Noelia, crowned in September 2023, was the first Venezuelan American to win her title.

The title was a 'childhood dream' and stepping down was a 'very tough decision,' the former Miss Utah and University of Alabama student said in an Instagram post announcing her resignation.

'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,' the 24-year-old wrote.

Alongside the statement, Voigt added a caption that read, 'I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.' She then thanked fans for their 'unwavering support.'

Voigt said she has struggled with her mental health since becoming champion seven months ago 

The original post 

Srivastava, who was also crowned last September, announced her resignation in her own post on Instagram on Wednesday.

'I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,' the former Miss New Jersey Teen USA wrote.

The 17-year-old thanked her family and fans, said she was glad to represent her state as a first-generation Mexican Indian American and noted she was eager to apply to colleges and work on her multi-lingual children’s book.

A caption accompanying the statement said 'this was certainly not how I saw my reign coming to a close' but called the experience a privilege.

Insiders told the New York Post that the models were forced into harsh and iron-clad contracts to keep appearances up, despite suffering in 'harmful workplace conditions.'

'This toxic atmosphere is a serious concern. There is an urgent need for intervention at the leadership level', they said.

Top managers at the organization were allegedly so toxic that Srivastava's parents recently refused to allow Miss USA Organization's president Laylah Rose to speak with the model directly.

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 

DailyMail.com has contacted the Miss USA Organization for comment. 

An insider told The New York Post 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.'

They added that she 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.'

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 

The Miss USA Organization was bought by trans Thai businesswoman Anne Jakkaphong (pictured) in 2022 

'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,' wrote the former staffer.

She 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.'

She added that Voigt's 'ability to share her story and her platform have been diminished', and said she witnessed 'disrespect' directed at Srivastava.

'I believe their voices and their stories should be heard and not silenced,' she wrote. 'I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind.'