Miss Hawaii accepts Miss USA crown despite other beauty queens resigning and refusing titles in 'mental health' battle with the pageant

Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz has been crowned the new Miss USA after the woman who was originally awarded the title stepped down due to mental health struggles.

Gankiewicz will hold the title under this August, when a new winner will be crowned.

The model and female empowerment nonprofit leader said she is 'ready to make a positive impact with this organization that I hold dear to my heart' during a ceremony in Honolulu on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old, who was the first runner-up at last year's pageant, was announced as Noelia Voigt's replacement after she stepped down last week amid reports of a 'culture of fear and control' within the Miss USA organization.

'Never compromise your physical and mental well-being,' wrote Voigt, 24, in her social media post announcing her departure. 

Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz accepted the Miss USA title Wednesday after the former title holder resigned last Monday

Miss USA Noelia Voigt (right) resigned the title due to considerations about her mental health. Her resignation was followed shortly thereafter by that of UmaSofia Srivastava (right), who had won the Miss Teen USA title

Two days after Voigt's sudden resignation of her crown, Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava also stepped away from her position.

She wrote on Instagram that her personal values do not any longer 'align with the direction of the organization.'

Unlike Gankiewicz, who decided to accept the crown, the Miss Teen USA runner up, Stephanie Skinner of New York, declined the title in a public statement she posted to Instagram.

At the Wednesday ceremony during which Gankiewicz was officially crowned by Hawaii Governor Josh Green, the  new title holder said she is 'dedicated to taking action and making a difference.

'With my background as a certified mental health first aid responder and training in anti-bullying suicide prevention, I understand the importance of prioritizing your well-being and advocating for those in need. 

'I believe that the true change starts from within and I am determined to lead by example and empower the class of 2024 and beyond,' she told the crowd gathered at a Waikiki hotel.

At the ceremony, Miss Universe Organization CEO Laylah Rose, who has been accused of cultivating the culture of fear and bullying that led to the double resignation, made her first appearance since the wave of drama began.

Rose, according to CNN, did not address any of the claims made against her, and instead embraced Gankiewicz in her new title and said her words will 'carry the power of positive change.'

The upcoming Miss and Miss Teen USA pageants are due to take place in Los Angeles this summer and will be broadcast on the CW network - though USA Today recently reported that the network was thinking over its relationship with the organization.

The model and female empowerment nonprofit leader said she is 'ready to make a positive impact with this organization that I hold dear to my heart'

Miss USA Pageant President and CEO Laylah Rose, who is currently under fire after Miss USA and Miss Teen USA resigned, alleging a toxic environment

Miss Hawaii USA 2023 Savannah Gankiewicz at the 72nd Miss USA Pageant in Reno, Nevada

Governer Josh Green, Savannah Gankiewicz, Miss USA President and CEO Layla Rose and Executive Director Miss Hawaii USA Alicia Michioka Miss Hawaii 2023 Savannah Gankiewicz at her coronation as the new Miss USA 2023

In a picture from just a few months ago, Miss USA Organization CEO Laylah Rose poses with some title holders at an event in New York

At present, Voigt and Srivastava remain under ironclad NDAs that prevent them from discussing their time at the organization publicly.

However, on Tuesday he mothers of the now-resigned winners spoke about their daughters' experiences on Good Morning America.

'The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare,' said Srivastava's mother Barbara.

'The girls decided to step down and give (up) their dream of a lifetime - a crown, a national title. Why would two girls decide to give that up?'

She added that the girls were, during their time as title holders, 'ill-treated, abused, bullied and cornered.'

The original post from Noelia Voigt's Instagram last Monday. 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 (pictured) announced her departure from the organization in an Instagram post last Monday, citing her decision to prioritize her mental and physical wellbeing - she was recently seen at the Kentucky Derby

Not long after Voigt's decision to vacate her position became public, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava followed suit 

Voigt announced her departure from the organization in an Instagram post last Monday, citing her decision to prioritize her mental and physical wellbeing.

'In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health,' she wrote.

'My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe. Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.'

Users in the comments were quick to point out that the first letter of each sentence in Voigt's message spelled out 'I AM SILENCED,' insinuating that there was more to the story than the former pageant queen was allowed to say.

Miss USA is a national beauty pageant that selects the entrant from the United States in the Miss Universe pageant. It has been held every year since 1952. 

Shortly after Voigt's announcement, the Miss USA Organization released its own statement on social media.

'Thank you, Noelia, for your service as Miss USA. We wish you the best in this next chapter,' the statement began.

'We respect and support former Miss USA Noelia Voigt's decision to step down from her duties. The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time.'