Miss USA Shakeup: New CEO Takes Over After Toxic Climate and Nonpayment Allegations

Note: I’m Zoe Bennett, your trusted Journalistic Expert, delivering a data-driven, analytical take on today’s entertainment headlines. A year after Miss USA and Miss Teen USA ambassadors stepped down citing mental health concerns, insiders describe a fractured leadership climate characterized by alleged bullying by CEO Laylah Rose, prompting a full-blown leadership overhaul under the umbrella of the Miss Universe Organization. The move sees longtime coach and judge Thom Brodeur, 55, installed as the new CEO, chairman, and president of both brands, replacing Rose who held the license since 2023. Brodeur’s introduction comes with a stated aim to modernize the brands through technology, media engagement, and broader fan interaction, signaling a strategic pivot after public friction and internal turbulence was exposed by former titleholders and state directors.

The Post’s reporting outlines a cascading set of tensions that culminated in a leadership change. A source connected to the situation notes that state directors began dropping out in the wake of production schedule and venue opacity, creating what was described as a “bad situation” that forced parent organization involvement. The timing matters: the 73rd Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants had already encountered upheaval, with titleholders reporting unsettled conditions that extended into 2024. One particularly striking claim concerns reigning Miss USA Alma Cooper, an active-duty Army officer, reportedly not receiving compensation typically associated with the title, including six-figure earnings, housing, and wardrobe stipends. Public statements from Cooper and others suggest a broader question about whether pay and support structures were consistently administered, even as the Army reportedly approved a form of payment to Cooper that she later clarified she did not actually receive. Multiple sources corroborate concerns over pay while underscoring ongoing questions about financial transparency and administrative communication within the organization.

The backdrop to these developments includes earlier resignations by two recent Miss USA champions: Noelia Voigt, who stepped down in May 2024 after seven months into her reign due to mental health concerns and alleged harassment, including a Christmas parade incident; and UmaSofia Srivastava, who resigned from Miss Teen USA, citing a misalignment of personal values with organizational direction. Those disclosures, initially met with denials from Rose, spurred broader scrutiny about workplace culture, governance, and internal accountability. The Miss Universe Organization publicly framed the transition as part of a “transformational vision” to modernize and revitalize the brands, highlighting a commitment to kindness and transparency while signaling a fresh leadership approach.

In the current moment, the transition to Brodeur marks a strategic shift designed to stabilize timing conflicts, restore director confidence, and reestablish credibility with titleholders and their supporters. Brodeur’s public statements emphasize a ten-year exclusive license, a goal of revitalizing the brands, and a pledge to rebuild trust with troops, alumni, and fans. Yet questions persist about how quickly the new leadership can restore consistency in pay, scheduling, and communications, all of which have been flagged as problematic in several internal accounts.

What to watch next is how the Brodeur era translates into tangible operational improvements, from contract clarity to improved director engagement and the reinvigoration of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA as globally recognized franchises. The inherent tension between pageant tradition and modern media strategy will continue to shape the brands’ trajectory as they navigate public scrutiny and the expectations of a new generation of winners and fans.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and The New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed (GO)