Hawaii woman Savannah Gankiewicz crowned Miss USA after the previous winner resigned

Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii has been crowned Miss USA 2023.

The ceremony, held at Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) comes more than a week after the previous titleholder resigned citing her mental health.

"I am ready to make a positive impact with this organisation that I hold dear to my heart," Gankiewicz, of Maui, said after receiving her new title.

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In a subsequent post on social media after being crowned, the 28-year-old pledged to be "transparent" with fans about her experiences.

"I still believe in the Miss USA organisation and its future, and my intention is to make positive changes from within and rebuild its legacy," she wrote.

Gankiewicz, a model who leads a female empowerment non-profit organisation, will hold the title until August – the remainder of the pageant's term, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

As the first runner-up, Gankiewicz was announced as the replacement for former Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt, who stepped aside on May 6.

In a statement, Voigt thanked her fans and wrote: "Never compromise your physical and mental well-being."

Voigt, a former Miss Utah, was crowned in September 2023.

Days later, on May 9, the Miss USA pageant announced Gankiewicz would be taking over the national title and its responsibilities.

"We are proud to crown Savannah Miss USA 2023, A true representation of vision, intelligence and compassion," the pageant's CEO, Laylah Rose, said in a statement.

"Her dedication to empowering women through self-love and confidence is inspiring, and we look forward to her impactful reign as Miss USA."

Gankiewicz said she supported Voigt taking a stand and hoped to bring unity back to the pageant.

"I fully support and respect Noelia's decision to step down, and I stand in solidarity with mental health awareness," she said in the statement.

"To my fellow Miss USA sisters, I believe it's crucial for us to stand united for the future of the organisation and the incoming class of 2024 and beyond."

Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, also resigned her title within days of Voigt's resignation in a shock to the Miss Universe Organisation, which runs both pageants.

Srivastava, the former Miss New Jersey Teen USA, wrote in a statement that her personal values "no longer fully align with the direction of the organisation".

Her replacement is yet to be announced, after runner-up Miss New York Teen USA Stephanie Skinner declined the opportunity to succeed Srivastava.

Adding to the on-going debacle, Miss Colorado Arianna Lemus also resigned in solidarity of the pair.

- Reported with Associated Press and CNN.

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