New Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz said her decision to take the crown was 'not made lightly' after the Miss Teen USA runner-up declined

Savannah Gankiewicz officially became Miss USA on Wednesday following Noelia Voigt's resignation. The Miss Teen USA runner-up declined her crown.

• On Wednesday, the new Miss USA, Savannah Gankiewicz, was officially crowned in Hawaii.
• Gankiewicz was first runner-up to Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt, who resigned on May 6. 
• Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava also resigned, but her runner-up declined the title.

Savannah Gankiewicz officially became Miss USA on Wednesday amid a turbulent series of events for the pageant.

Gankiewicz competed as Miss Hawaii in the Miss USA pageant in September 2023.

Noelia Voigt was named queen during the pageant, and she served as Miss USA until May 6, when she resigned. Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned two days later. In the days since their resignations, Voigt and Srivastava's mothers have spoken out against the way their daughters were treated when they became titleholders.

On May 9, the Miss USA organization announced that Gankiewicz would become Miss USA following Voigt's resignation. She was crowned queen in a ceremony in Hawaii on Wednesday.

Miss USA did not respond to a request for comment on Gankiewicz's crowning.

The new Miss USA acknowledged the circumstances of her crowning in a speech

Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, crowned Gankiewicz in Honolulu, according to CNN.

At the event, Gankiewicz gave a speech addressing the circumstances that led her to the Miss USA title.

"While this decision was not made lightly, I firmly believe that this opportunity was meant for me, and I am ready to make a positive impact with this organization that I hold dear to my heart," Gankiewicz said, as CNN reported.

"I am dedicated to taking action and making a difference," she said. "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."

Voigt cited her mental health when she announced she was resigning as Miss USA on Instagram, saying in the caption of her post, "Never compromise your physical and mental well-being. Our health is our wealth."

When she shared that she would become queen on Instagram, Gankiewicz thanked her followers who "ensured me that accepting the title is the right thing to do," adding that she stands with and admires Voigt.

Speaking to Hawaii News Now after her crowning ceremony, Gankiewicz said she viewed taking the title "as a job and a responsibility."

"I empathize with the former titleholders, but I took this as a job and a responsibility to really help make a positive impact within this organization that I truly believe in," she said.

She also told the outlet she's only had positive experiences with both Miss Hawaii USA and Miss USA.

"It's always been amazing," she said. "They've always done so much for me."

In addition to being Miss USA, Gankiewicz is a model, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. When she competed at Miss USA, she won best costume in the state costume contest and best interview.

The Miss Teen USA first runner-up didn't accept her crown

Two days after Voigt gave up her title, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava also resigned.

She said in an Instagram announcement that her values "no longer fully align with the direction of the organization."

Her crown was offered to Stephanie Skinner, the first runner-up in the Miss Teen USA pageant and Miss Teen New Jersey for 2023.

Skinner declined the title, telling BI she couldn't accept because she had already agreed to participate in a research program through her college this summer and because of her morals.

"One thing I will never give up is my character, nor my integrity," she said. "So, because of recent circumstances and the fact that I did give my word to my university's global research program this summer, I had to decline the role because I felt like that was what was best and what reflected my morals."

Voigt and Srivastava's resignations followed Claudia Michelle, Miss USA's social-media director, quitting and saying on Instagram on May 3 that she thought "Noelia and Uma's mental health and happiness has taken a toll, and I cannot remain silent about that."

Miss Colorado Arianna Lemus also gave up her crown on Friday in solidarity with Voigt.

As their mothers told BI's Anneta Konstantinides, Voigt and Srivastava signed NDAs and cannot discuss their experiences as Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.

But Jackeline Voigt and Barbara Srivastava said their daughters experienced "emotional abuse, gaslighting, and a hostile environment" during their reigns, which was overseen by Miss USA's CEO and president, Laylah Rose.

The Miss USA organization did not respond to BI's previous request for comment on the mothers speaking out. However, in a statement to ABC News, it said, "We are committed to fostering a healthy, communicative, and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders, and staff."