Miss USA and Miss Teen USA have crowned two new winners — and they’re both Latina. Noelia Voigt, of Venezuelan descent, took home the title representing the state of Utah, and Umasofia Srivastava, of Mexican-Indian roots, won the teen title, representing New Jersey.
The Miss USA pageant took place on September 29 and aired live on the CW. Voigt spoke on her Venezuelan-American identity during the interview portion of the telecast. “The United States of America is an incredibly diverse country, probably one of the most diverse countries in the entire world. So, being able to connect with everybody is important. As a bilingual Venezuelan-American woman, I plan to connect with that community of people because the United States of America is a diverse country, and a Miss USA needs to be able to represent every community, no matter their background, their race, their ethnicity, anything — and I would like to be that Miss USA,” she said.
She also posted about her background on Instagram in July. “I am honored to be the first Venezuelan-American woman to hold the title of Miss Utah USA, and I am truly looking forward to breaking barriers and bridging the gap between communities by being able to speak Spanish and connect with the large Hispanic population in Utah,” she wrote in the caption.
Srivastava is the first Mexican-Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA and now the first to hold the national title. She is the author of a children’s book inspired by her dual background. “This book is not only the culmination of months of hard work but my life’s story and pride for my Mexican – Indian heritage, so seeing it in a bookstore that my mom would take me nerdy little self to after school has truly been the highlight of my life,” she shared on Instagram.
Voigt will next compete at the Miss Universe pageant, representing the United States, on November 18, 2023, in El Salvador.