Miss Colorado USA, Arianna Lemus, has relinquished her title amid calls for reforms within the national pageant organization.
Lemus, who was crowned last year after being the first runner-up in 2022, announced her resignation to support Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava—former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, respectively—who stepped down earlier this month citing mistreatment rumors.
Voigt relinquished her title, followed by Srivastava two days later.
“I stand in solidarity with Noelia and UmaSofia as I step down from my role as Miss Colorado USA,” Lemus stated last week. She criticized the contract constraints that she claims stifle the rights and dignity of the pageant winners, emphasizing the need for reform within the Miss USA organization.
Lemus, who is from Gunnison, told The Gazette that part of her reason for resigning was to advocate for Voigt and Srivastava, who are bound by nondisclosure agreements. “It was a difficult decision to resign,” she said. “I want to see transparency from the Miss USA organization and am calling for current management to release the ladies from their NDAs. If there’s nothing to hide, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Denise Wallace, executive co-director of Miss Colorado USA, expressed disappointment over Lemus’ resignation but respected her decision. “We know Arianna’s experience with Future Productions, the state pageant licensee, was positive and vastly different from the controversy surrounding the national titleholders’ management,” Wallace said. “However, we respect that this is what she felt was the right decision for her and wish her the best.”
Lemus acknowledged her positive experience with Colorado’s pageant organization. “I am grateful to my state directors, Future Productions, sponsors, family, friends, and everyone who supported me in the pageant journey,” she said. “I hope to continue supporting women and inspire many to stand up for what’s right in their hearts.”
Following Voigt’s resignation, Savannah Gankiewicz, the Miss USA runner-up, was crowned. Stephanie Skinner, the Miss Teen USA runner-up, declined to accept the title after Srivastava stepped down.
At press time, no replacement for Lemus as Miss Colorado USA 2023 had been announced. “We look forward to crowning Miss Colorado USA 2024 in Greeley next month,” Wallace added.
