By James Moses (9News Nigeria -Jos)
Former Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, explained her decision to relinquish the title and step down from her role at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards, held in New York City on May 11.
In a video shared on Monday, May 13, while speaking with Good Morning America, she said: “My personal values no longer align with the direction the organisation is going into.
“I look forward to doing what I wanted to doing what I wanted to do with the little, which is talking about charity, uplighting minority voices, whether that be my own commuinity, Mexican Indian communities, or LGBTQI commuinities, which is why I’m so excited to be here tonight”
“I think it’s important that we advocate for the power of our voices and for acceptance because ultimately, that is what I thought pageantry was supposed to be about and what I continue to do with the rest of my year”, she said.
She continued: “I think you have to realized the importance of your own voice as the person, not the title. I have had an incredible year that has allowed me to meet so many people as Miss New Jersey Teen USA, and ultimately, it’s those relationships that have carried me but given me the confidence to continue my advocacy for education [and] for acceptance through my book: “The White Jaguar” as me, no one else”.
Srivastava announced her decision to step down from her role as Miss Teen USA last week just a few days after Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, announced she was resigning her title as she cited prioritizing her mental health.
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