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| MISS USA Hawaii's Savannah Gankiewicz was named the next Miss USA. |
Amid the controversies swirling around the Miss USA pageant, a Filipino/Vietnamese American, Miss Hawaii, will assume the title May 15.
On May 9, the Miss USA pageant announced that Savannah Gankiewicz, Miss Hawaii USA 2023 and first-runner up to Voigt at the 2023 Miss USA pageant, would be taking over the national title and its responsibilities. She will be officially crowned on May 15.
“We are proud to crown Savannah Miss USA 2023, A true representation of vision, intelligence, and compassion,” stated a press release.. “Her dedication to empowering women through self-love and confidence is inspiring, and we look forward to her impactful reign as Miss USA.”
Gankiewiez's opportunity occurred after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt resigned from her title claiming mismanagement by the Miss USA organization affecting her mental health.
Voigt's resigniation became even more significant after Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished her crow two days later alleging similar complaints.
A nondisclosure agreement (NDA) in their contract with the Miss USA organization has, thus far, prevented neither title holder from expanding on their allegations.
Despite all the issues existing within the Miss USA organisation and the other contestants standing in support of Noelia, Savannah chose to accept the Miss USA 2023 title and will reign as Miss USA until the 2024 pageant in August.
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MISS USA Former Miss Teen USA Uma Sofia Srivastava and and Miss USA Noelia Voigt gave up their pageant crowns. |
“I fully support and respect Noelia’s decision to step down, and I stand in solidarity with mental health awareness,” Gankiewicz added. “To my fellow Miss USA sisters, I believe it’s crucial for us to stand united for the future of the organization and the incoming class of 2024 and beyond.”
FYI: The CW Network will air live the 73rd Miss USA pageant on Sunday, August 4 (8-10 pm ET)A native of Kihei on the island of Maui, Savannah Gankiewicz was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2023 on 15 November 2023 and represented Hawaii at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada. Savannah, who is of Filipina, Polish and Vietnamese descent, made history as the first winner from Maui in over 20 years.
Gankiewicz, 24, grew up in Mau with her mother, who is a Filipino/Vietnamese Hawaiian living in Maui and her father, who lives in Virginia. After attending middle and high school in Virginia, she returned to Hawaii.
Savannah is a model, entrepreneur, and program director for What Makes You Feel Beautiful — a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering self-love throughout every stage and phase of life in girls and women of all ages. She also dedicates her time to facilitating the “F.L.Y. First Love Yourself” youth program which empowers young women to develop self-love, confidence, and compassion.
Gankiewicz's reign as Miss USA will be short-lived. She will have to give up her crown in Augus twhen a new Miss USA will be chosen.
During the few months of her reign, Savannah hopes to be a symbol of resilience and hope and bring the Aloha spirit across the nation. She would like to give support to her home island of Maui and put it back into the spotlight on the rebuilding process in Lahaina after the tragic fires nearly one year ago
This year, the 2024 Miss USA pageant will take place in Los Angeles from July 27 to August 4.The venue where the contestants will compete for the iconic crown will be announced soon.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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