Miss Texas USA welcomes 71‑year-old contestant in historic shift
The Miss USA pageants are now being held according to new, more inclusive rules. Organizers have decided, among other things, to lift the age limit. Marissa Teijo decided to take advantage of this opportunity and has already made history as the oldest participant. It's hard to believe how old this woman is.
The relaxation of rules in the Miss Universe organization encouraged Marissa Teijo to participate in the beauty pageant. The El Paso resident, along with six other residents of the city, took part in the competition for the title of Miss Texas USA in Houston on Saturday. The 71-year-old admits that "women now have new opportunities to showcase their strength and beauty."
I am thrilled to be participating in this incredible new experience as a Miss Texas USA contestant — wrote Teijo on social media.
She admitted that she "hopes to inspire women" to always "take care of themselves both physically and mentally and to believe that they are beautiful regardless of age."
The CEO of Bazaar Models, with whom 71-year-old Teijo collaborates, emphasized that she is proud of her protégée. She added that she represents "women of all shapes, age groups, and races." She highlighted that it gives her immense joy to "support" them and draw inspiration from them.
Age is not the only limit that has been lifted in the case of the Miss Universe pageant. According to toofab.com, married women and divorcees can now participate in the pageant. Candidates can also become pregnant during the competition.
Two miss give up their crowns
In early May, last year's Miss USA and Miss Teen USA relinquished their crowns. Twenty-four-year-old Miss USA Noelia Voigt announced on May 6 at 2:00 PM ET that she is stepping down. She did not provide exact reasons for her decision, although she posted a telling message on social media.
Never compromise your physical and mental well-being. Our health is our wealth. A million thanks to you all for your constant and unwavering support. Time to write the next chapter — she wrote on Instagram.
Just two days later, 17-year-old Miss Teen USA Uma Sofia Srivastava announced her decision to step down. "After careful consideration, I have decided to resign because I feel that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction the organization is heading," she wrote on her Instagram profile.
The mothers of both misses shed light on the matter on the program "Good Morning America," pointing to the bullying and mistreatment of their daughters by the organization. "I hold myself to the same high standards and take these allegations seriously," assured Miss USA Organization CEO Laylah Rose in a statement to NBC News.
