The Miss USA pageant can't escape controversy. Here's a timeline of all the drama.

Anneta KonstantinidesMay 29, 2024, 10:07 IST

Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava both gave up their crowns this week.Chance Yeh/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited

The Miss USA and Miss Universe organizations can't seem to escape controversy.
It all began when contestants claimed Miss USA 2022 was rigged in favor of R'Bonney Gabriel.

When R'Bonney Gabriel won Miss USA 2022 and the contestants didn't rush over to hug and congratulate her onstage, many pageant fans wondered if something was amiss. A day later, the rigging allegations came flooding in — and Miss USA and Miss Universe organizations have been consumed with chaos ever since.

A president was suspended, a sexual harassment scandal was uncovered, and both organizations' top leaders changed amid all the drama.

The controversy hasn't slowed down since. This week, Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava both gave up their crowns.

Here's everything that's happened during the pageant's controversial years.

R'Bonney Gabriel won Miss USA on October 3, 2022.

R'Bonney Gabriel after she won Miss USA.Miss USA/Instagram

On October 4, Miss USA 2022 contestants went public with their claims that the pageant had been rigged.

Instagram posts from Miss USA 2022 contestants.Katelyn Vinson/Instagram; Heather Nunez/Instagram

Many of the contestants began posting their allegations after seeing an Instagram video Gabriel made for a Miss USA national sponsor.

Gabriel during the 2022 Miss USA pageant in Reno, Nevada.Finesse Levine

In an interview on October 6, 2022, Gabriel defended herself against the rigging allegations.

Gabriel said she would have never entered a rigged pageant.Grant Foto

Two days later, the Miss Universe Organization launched a third-party investigation and suspended Miss USA president Crystle Stewart.

Stewart after she was announced Miss USA 2008.Eric Jamison/AP Images

That month it was also revealed that Stewart's husband had been accused of sexual harassment by former Miss USA contestants.

Stewart and Sebrechts at the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant on December 8, 2019, in Atlanta.Paras Griffin/Getty Images

On October 26, 2022, it was announced that the Miss Universe Organization had been sold to businesswoman Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip.

Anne Jakrajutatip during the Miss Universe Extravaganza in November 2022.LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Amid all the controversy and change, Gabriel was trying to prepare for Miss Universe.

Gabriel at the 2022 Miss Universe pageant.Josh Brasted/Getty Images

On January 14, 2023, Gabriel won Miss Universe.

Gabriel told Business Insider that winning Miss Universe was the "sweetest victory."TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

Two weeks later, Morgan Romano assumed the title of Miss USA 2022.

Miss North Carolina Morgan Romano after being crowned the new Miss USA 2022.Morgan Romano/Instagram

On August 1, 2023, the Miss Universe Organization announced it had found the rigging allegations were "false" but that Stewart would no longer be president of Miss USA.

Stewart and Miss USA parted ways in August.Mike Coppola/WireImage

Hours later, Laylah Rose was announced as the next Miss USA president.

New Miss USA president Laylah Rose.Courtesy of Miss USA

Noelia Voigt was crowned Miss USA 2023 on September 29 in Reno, Nevada.

Miss Utah Noelia Voight was crowned Miss USA in 2023.Miss USA

A week before Miss Universe 2023, the financial woes of Jakrajutatip's company came to light.

Anne Jakrajutatip is the current owner of Miss Universe.Josh Brasted/Getty Images

During the Miss Universe competition, Paula Shugart announced she was stepping down as president after 23 years.

Shugart with Emmerich, who has also left the organization, and Jakrajutatip in November 2022.LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

On May 6, Noelia Voigt announced she was stepping down as Miss USA.

Voigt during the Miss Universe competition.Hector Vivas/Stringer/Getty Images

Two days later, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned as well.

Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava and Miss USA Noelia Voigt.Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited

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