Former Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt has once again placed the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) under intense public scrutiny after calling out event officials for their handling of a heated backstage confrontation with Miss Mexico during a recent pageant engagement.
The altercation, which reportedly unfolded during rehearsal staging, saw Voigt and Miss Mexico engage in a tense disagreement over positioning and microphone assignments. What began as routine coordination allegedly escalated into a sharp verbal exchange before production crew members stepped in.
Voigt, who later addressed the incident on social media, said she was “disgusted” by the organisers’ response, accusing MUO of ignoring warning signs and failing to prevent the confrontation from spiraling. Her criticism quickly revived long-standing questions about the organisation’s backstage culture and contestant welfare.
This latest fallout comes months after Voigt’s dramatic resignation as Miss USA in May 2024 — a move that sent shockwaves through the pageant world. In her resignation statement, she described a “toxic and damaging environment”, citing bullying, emotional distress, and inadequate support. Her departure triggered national investigations, with several state directors publicly backing her claims and accusing MUO leadership of mismanagement.
Voigt’s new allegations have reopened those wounds. Pageant analysts say her comments highlight persistent problems within the Miss Universe system, especially under post-Shugart leadership, which has faced ongoing criticism for communication lapses, operational disorganisation, and contestant burnout.
Clips and commentary surrounding Voigt’s exchange with Miss Mexico have since gone viral on X, TikTok, and fan forums, fueling debates about how contestants are treated behind the scenes at one of the world’s most prestigious beauty competitions.
As of now, the Miss Universe Organisation has not released a statement addressing either the confrontation or Voigt’s accusations.
Observers warn that the renewed backlash could further intensify calls for structural reform within MUO, as stakeholders — from former titleholders to pageant fans — continue demanding clearer safeguards, stronger leadership, and a more supportive environment for contestants.
