A 71-year-old woman will make history as the oldest contestant competing in the Miss Texas USA pageant, according to NBC News.
Marissa Teijo participated in the pageant alongside other contestants in Houston this weekend. The winner will then represent Texas in the Miss USA competition.
Marissa Teijo
Recently, the Miss Universe organization became more inclusive by eliminating age limits for contestants over 18 and permitting married, divorced, and pregnant women to participate.
Teijo, of El Paso, said in an Instagram post that she was excited to compete and hoped it would "inspire women to strive to be their best physical and mental self and believe there is beauty at any age."
Miss Texas USA began its two-day pageant on Friday at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel.
Since Noelia Voigt announced her resignation on May 6 The Miss Universe organization has been surrounded by controversy.
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Voigt, 24, said in an Instagram statement that she was stepping away to focus on her mental health, but days later NBC News obtained a copy of Voigt’s resignation letter in which she accused the pageant’s CEO Laylah Rose of creating a toxic work environment and failing to address a sexual harassment incident.
Rose released a statement saying, in part, that she takes allegations seriously and that "the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA is my top priority."
NBC News says after Voigt relinquished her title, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, stepped down, as well as Miss USA’s social media manager Claudia Michelle.
Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii was crowned the new Miss USA 2023 in place of Voigt and will hold the position until August when a new winner is announced.
Stephanie Skinner, Miss Teen USA runner-up, was offered the crown following Srivastava's resignation, but she declined to accept it.
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