The reigning Miss USA from last year has opted out of returning to pass on her crown to the next titleholder, amidst a whirlwind of controversy surrounding the long-standing pageant.

Alma Cooper, who earned the title in 2024, announced her decision via Instagram, revealing she will not grace the Miss USA stage on October 24 in Reno, Nevada.

Cooper’s withdrawal adds another layer of embarrassment to the pageant, which is already grappling with accusations of ‘bullying and harassment’ and claims of a ‘toxic work environment.’

“After much deliberation, I have reached the tough decision not to attend this year’s Miss USA pageant and the subsequent crowning ceremony,” shared the Michigan native.

“As I turn the page on this chapter, I do so with the assurance that I completed my journey with integrity and self-respect, akin to the crown I was privileged to wear,” she concluded.

Her decision has drawn support from fellow titleholders, including 2024 Miss Teen USA Addie Carver and 2011 Miss USA Alyssa Campanella, who expressed their encouragement in the comments.

The 23-year-old was the first Afro-Latina Miss USA winner, which she told People ‘was one of my life’s greatest joys and accomplishments.’  

During her reign, the West Point graduate also served as a lieutenant in the US army. She paused her graduate studies at Stanford University to fully embrace her position at Miss USA and First Lieutenant Cooper.

‘Despite the mental, physical and emotional load I was set to carry, like any other full-time job,’ she continued. 

‘I was confident that I could push myself to deliver the excellence, wit, poise and intelligence that the title required. I was ready and willing to wear the crown with pride.’

2024 Miss USA winner Alma Cooper announced that she would not be attending this year’s pageant to crown her successor

Cooper was the first Afro-Latina Miss USA and the first active duty military winner

This year’s pageant is the first since new leadership took over the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organization. 

Cooper was crowned just months after 2023’s Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastav gave up their titles, marking the first time any winner has relinquished the crown in the pageant’s 71-year history.

Voigt and Srivastav cited interactions with former CEO Layla Loiczly for as the reason for their departure in a new lawsuit. 

Loiczly was referenced in the suit against her company VVV Global Ent. this month which detailed her alleged ‘mismanagement.’

‘Based on information and belief from State Directors, the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA brands have been substantially tarnished by the apparent actions and/or inactions of Ms. Loiczly,’ said the lawsuit obtained by the Daily Mail.  

Voight decided to drop her title due to a ‘toxic work environment’ that was full of ‘bullying and harassment,’ according to the suit.

Srivastava  said her interactions with Loiczly were ‘degrading, aggressive, and made [Ms. Srivastava] feel silenced,’ per the lawsuit filed.

In her cryptic message, Cooper wrote ‘As I close this chapter, I do so with the knowledge that I finished what I started with integrity and my self-worth held high’

Her announcement comes amidst scandal and shakeups, as new figurehead Thom Brodeur took over

The filing also claimed that Cooper was promised ‘an annual guaranteed compensation of $100,000.00 for serving as Miss USA,’ but never received it.

Loiczly denied allegations in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. 

Thom Brodeur took over the organization in September 2025.

Amidst the lawsuit and shake up, he made it clear that Cooper was welcome at this year’s event. 

‘Our office has been in touch with Alma and her representative since the day we announced taking over Miss USA as the new leadership team,’ Brodeur wrote on a since-expired Instagram story on October 22. 

‘Our dream was to warmly welcome Alma to participate in the 2025 competition in whatever capacity she was most comfortable.’ 

Noelia Voigt (left) and Addie Carver (right) gave up their titles as Miss USA and Miss Teen USA respectively in 2024

A recent filing claimed that Cooper (center) was promised ‘an annual guaranteed compensation of $100,000.00 for serving as Miss USA,’ but never received it

Even without Cooper, the pageant must go on and a new Miss USA will be crowned this weekend. It remains unclear who will ceremonially crown the winner instead.

Miss Teen USA was crowned on October 23. Missouri 17-year-old Marilyn Marsh won the crown. 

No matter how shocking, Brodeur may not feel snubbed by Cooper’s jaw-dropping decision. 

In his October 22 statement her concluded, ‘We honor you, Alma. You are a queen. You are our queen even if we didn’t start this journey with you. And, you are forever our Miss USA 2024.’ 

The Daily Mail reached out to the Miss USA organization and representation for Alma Cooper for comment.