Miss USA 2023, Savannah Gankiewicz, has expressed no regrets about stepping into the role following a dramatic resignation earlier this year.
In May, Noelia Voigt, the original Miss USA 2023, resigned unexpectedly, citing mental health issues and alleging a toxic work environment within the Miss USA organization—a claim denied by CEO Laylah Rose.
Just over a week after Voigt’s departure, Savannah Gankiewicz was named the new Miss USA 2023. Despite facing some initial backlash, Gankiewicz remains positive about her decision.
“I can’t speak on their experience, but I can only judge from mine, and it has been nothing but great,” Gankiewicz told People magazine. She described her time as Miss USA so far as “the best three months of my life” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity she embraced.
The initial criticism she faced has been outweighed by the positive impact she’s been able to make. Gankiewicz has used her platform to highlight significant issues, including the Maui wildfires and her own non-profit organization. She sees her role as a way to inspire others and overcome adversity. “I use it as a tool to show that no one can bring you down; you can just elevate yourself,” she said.
Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding her ascension, Gankiewicz acknowledged the responsibility she felt to step up. “My first thoughts were with Voigt and her mental state. Then I remembered that pageant protocol dictates that the first runner-up should step up if the winner is unable,” she noted.
As Gankiewicz prepares to crown her successor, she does so with a sense of pride and fulfillment, championing both the Miss USA organization and the personal growth it has fostered in her life.
