There is a new Miss USA in town!
At the conclusion of the competition held on Friday at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, Miss Utah Noelia Voigt was crowned Miss USA 2023.
Voigt won the coveted title by defeating Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz, who came in second, and Miss Wisconsin Alexis Loomans, who came in third. The crown was given to Voigt by Morgan Romano, who succeeded R’Bonney Gabriel as Miss USA 2022 when Gabriel won Miss Universe.
Days before the pageant, Voigt posted a statement on Instagram that read, The past 7 years of my pageantry journey have all brought me to this moment. Normally, I get a little nervous before interviews, but right now, I’m perfectly calm. I’m eager to enter that room, meet the judges, and introduce them to the whole extent of Noelia.
When Voigt was named Miss Utah for the first time in July, she thought back on her experiences.
She commented on Instagram, “I am honored to be the very first Venezuelan-American woman to carry the title of Miss Utah USA, and I am sincerely looking forward to breaking down barriers and bridging the gap between communities via being able to speak Spanish and communicate with the significant Hispanic population in Utah.
Laylah Rose was named Miss USA’s new president at the competition this year.
Before the competition on Friday, Rose, a fashion designer and the CEO of the VIP Pageantry television network, spoke with Insider about some significant adjustments.
The new president swore that going ahead, the three rounds of judging that the women underwent—swimsuit, evening gown, and interview—would no longer account for 33 percent of their final vote.
The interview round now accounts for 50% of the final score, whereas the other two categories only account for 25%.
“I came in and I really wanted to highlight the delegates as individuals,” Rose said to the media source. You must interview in order to be accepted, just like when applying for a job or career. I wanted to emphasize that because, in my opinion, it is the most crucial component of the organization.
We’re not simply wearing heels and strutting around the stage, she added. “We’re genuinely in the philanthropy environment that we want to be in, supporting our platforms, creating waves, and breaking glass ceilings. That element, which I believe has not received enough attention, is what I most enjoy bringing.
Additionally, the last question won’t be political. “Let her have her moment for the final 30 seconds that she is onstage.”
Additionally, the presiding president has instituted the usage of Tally Genie, a voting process that is the “premier tabulation & auditing software solution for the pageant industry.”
In 2022, some competitors alleged that Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel, the first Filipino-American woman to win the Miss USA title, was the beneficiary of a rigged competition.
In a statement, Gabriel told PEOPLE that the recent accusations were “based on perception, not the truth.” “I would never want to participate in a contest that was fixed.”
Following Gabriel’s coronation as Miss Universe 2022, the scandal persisted. According to Today, the organization at the time refuted the claims of vote-rigging, saying they served to “divert attention” from the amazing accomplishments both it and the delegates had over the weekend.
Gabriel claimed she was “fully prepared for everything coming my way” as Miss Universe, even naysayers, in an interview with PEOPLE following the contest.
“This is a chance to show the world that you shouldn’t let negativity get to you, even when it comes your way. I think we’ve all experienced a little internet hatred now and then. And I believe that this is a fantastic chance for me to lead by example,” she added.
The Texas native said that she hoped her ascent to the top would encourage others “to believe in themselves” and pursue their ambitions.
Gabriel claimed that it had taken him three years of non-stop work, working every day, to reach this stage. And I simply want to relay the tale of what occurs behind the scenes and how something that at one point looked so unachievable may now be accomplished.