Beauty pageants are often celebrated for their glamour and elegance, but in recent times they have drawn attention to concerns about mental health.
The recent resignations of both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA have sparked important conversations about the mental health of beauty pageant participants.
NBC6’s Joanna Torres spoke with past title holders and mental health experts to get their perspective.
Former Miss Florida USA, Lisette Garcia, looks back on her experience as a journey of personal growth and opportunity. Initially drawn to the dresses and glamour, Garcia soon realized that participating in pageants offered personal growth.
“At first I was drawn to the beauty of the dress, but then I realised doing this would make me a better person,” she said.
But the pressures of being in the spotlight can take a toll on mental health, a reality tragically highlighted when former Miss USA Chesley Crist committed suicide in 2022.
Recently, Miss USA Noelia Voight and Miss Teen USA UmaSophia Srivastava both stepped down due to mental health concerns, sending shockwaves through the beauty pageant world and sparking an outpouring of support and important conversations about mental health.
Former Miss Florida USA Anastasia Pierre praised Voight and Srivastava for the courage they showed in prioritizing their mental health.
“It takes a lot of courage for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA to step down,” Pierre said. “You all matter the most. I’m so proud of her.”
While the road to glory and the responsibilities that come with it can be difficult, many former titleholders acknowledge both the good and the bad aspects of the experience. Anastasia Pierre, who has held titles such as Miss Florida Teen USA, Miss Florida USA and Miss Bahamas, described the experience as one of honor and gratitude.
“You will be representing not only yourself and your family but the entire state. You will learn a lot and grow as a person. Of course, there is a lot of pressure and responsibility, but I have accepted it with an honor and gratitude,” she said.
To understand the broader impact of these resignations, Joanna Torres spoke with Silvia Quintana, CEO of the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, who praised the former queen’s decision to step down and highlighted the growing societal pressures that have led to mental illness being recognized as a major issue of the century.
“There are too many pressures in our society, the pressures we put on ourselves, so much so that mental illness has been declared the disease of the century,” Quintana said.
Quintana also highlighted signs to look out for in people with mental health issues, including changes in behavior, high anxiety levels, lack of interest in social interactions, and irregular eating and sleeping patterns.
As the conversation around mental health continues to evolve, fostering healthier, more supportive environments remains a priority.
“Hats off to her for choosing herself and her mental health,” Pierre concluded. “There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that we don’t know about and I hope that all of that will come to light so that girls who are interested in pageants know exactly what they’re getting into.”
The evolving discussion about mental health within beauty pageants highlights the importance of prioritizing well-being over societal expectations, paving the way for a more supportive future for all participants.
