Utah’s Noelia Voigt is crowned Miss USA in glitzy ceremony that featured first married state titleholder following Miss Universe rule change

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Utah’s Noelia Voigt has been crowned Miss USA in a glitzy ceremony that saw the contestants showcase their fashion prowess in shimmering mini dresses and stunning gowns. 

The 72nd pageant also featured the first married state titleholder following a rule by Miss Universe that has allowed married women and mothers to compete for the first time in its seven-decade history.

Noelia Voigt, 23, oozed glamour last night in a silver frock with a thigh-high split, before swapping into a eye-catching gem-covered gold gown ahead of being crowned Miss USA.

Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii placed as first-runner up at the Grand Sierra Resort in Nevada, according to CNN.

Noelia impressed judges with her answer about what she would bring to the Miss Universe organisation as a ‘brand ambassador’.

Utah ‘s Noelia Voigt has been crowned Miss USA in a glitzy ceremony that saw the contestants showcase their fashion prowess in shimmering mini dresses and stunning gowns

According to Parade, she replied: ‘I believe the ability to connect with people is an incredibly important asset that a Miss USA should have. 

‘The United States of America is an incredibly diverse country, probably one of the most diverse in the entire world. So being able to connect with everybody is important. 

‘As a bilingual Venezuelan-American woman, I plan to connect with that community of people because the United States of America is a diverse country and a Miss USA needs to be able to represent every community no matter their background, their race, their ethnicity, anything and I would like to be that Miss USA.’

For the last 70 years, the pageant was only available to women who had never been married or had children, but now, both mothers and married women can enter the competition. 

‘We all believe that women should have agency over their lives and that a human’s personal decisions should not be a barrier to their success,’ an internal memo obtained by The National said.

The rule previously stated hat only non-married and women without children aged 18 to 28 are eligible to participate. Despite the new rule the age requirements remain the same. 

Josh Yugen, the national director of Miss Universe told The National: ‘The Miss Universe Organization is always the greatest and most innovative platform of its kind and now it will be more inclusive and welcoming to mothers and married women. 

‘For me, this is aligned with what I have been fighting for — breaking stereotypes and unlearning the stigma that the old society has forced on us from many many decades ago.’

Noelia Voigt (pictured), 23, oozed glamour last night in a silver frock with a thigh-high split, before swapping into a eye-catching gem-covered gold gown ahead of being crowned Miss USA

Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii (pictured next to Miss Utah) placed as first-runner up at the Grand Sierra Resort in Nevada

Strike a pose! Contestants put their best fashion foot forward as they showcase their ensembles

Radiant: Stunning contestants looked effortlessly glamorous in their shimmering mini dresses

Stunning: These glamorous contestants couldn’t help but smile while at the ceremony

Noelia (pictured centre) impressed judges with her answer about what she would bring to the Miss Universe organisation as a ‘brand ambassador’

The moment Miss Utah was crowned Miss USA 2023 at the glittering ceremony yesterday

Andrea Meza, 27, who represented Mexico and was crowned Miss Universe in 2020, noted the new rule was long overdue.

‘I honestly love that this is happening,’ she said in an interview with Insider. ‘Just like society changes and women are now occupying leadership positions where in the past only men could. It was about time pageants changed and opened up to women with families.’

Andrea added: ‘There are a lot of women that got married young or had kids in their early 20s and they always wanted to participate in Miss Universe but couldn’t because of the rules.

‘Now those women can start or boost their careers in entertainment because of these changes.’

Looking good! State titleholders showcase their slender figures in two-piece swimwear 

Commanding attention: Miss Virginia USA 2023 Ashley Williams opted for a orange bikini

Working it! Beaming contestants showcased their stylish bikinis in the swimwear round

Wow! Miss Nevada USA 2023 Josie Stephens looked effortlessly confident while showcasing her swimwear outfit

Miss Hawaii USA 2023 Savannah Gankiewicz, pictured left, and Miss Arkansas USA 2023 Mackenzie Hinderberger show off their figures in bright bikinis

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