Miss Hawaii has been battling an onslaught of online bullying for a week since accepting the Miss USA crown following the shocking resignation of the first runner-up.
Savannah Gankiewicz, 28, said the backlash was “heartbreaking” during a speech Friday while visiting wildfire victims in Lahaina.
“I don’t know if you’ve seen it on social media, but since winning this title I’ve dealt with a lot of bullying and harassment,” the reigning pageant queen said, fighting back tears.
“I didn’t want to cry, but I just feel bad because I want everyone to know where my heart is coming from.”
Gankiewicz’s social media has been flooded with hateful comments accusing the runner-up of being unworthy of the Miss USA title, with the most serious threats coming from Miss USA. Gankiewicz was injured because he accepted the role.
The bullying also extended to Ms Gankiewicz’s mother’s online channel, with one person telling her: “I hope your daughter gets shot and dies.”
Rather than directing the insults at her, Gankiewicz has decided to take the hatred head on and reign supreme for the remaining five months after the original titleholder, Noelia Vogt, resigned earlier this month.
“It’s about helping Lahaina and Māori people and having a platform, but it’s also about showing young women that even when you’re being bullied and hurt, you can stand up and keep going and continue to speak out.” Gankiewicz said to loud applause.
Gankiewicz accepted the Miss USA title last week, just days after Voight, a Utah native, gave up her title to prioritize her mental health.
The move marked the first time in the contest’s 72-year history that a title holder voluntarily relinquished the crown.
This shocking resignation was made even more dramatic by the fact that 17-year-old Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava also followed suit. Sources told the Post that “bullying” by management was likely the cause.
“This toxic atmosphere is of serious concern,” an anonymous insider previously told The Post about the two-tiered restructuring.
“Intervention at the leadership level is urgently needed.”
Gankiewicz, a model, entrepreneur, and program director for the nonprofit organization What Makes You Feel Beautiful, said at the time that her decision to accept the title was not taken “lightly.”
“Noelia, it was the honor of a lifetime to share the stage with you during your greatest moment and I wish you all the best in your next chapter,” she said in a statement, adding that she vowed to use her “brief time” as Miss USA to help rebuild her hometown of Lahaina, Maui.
The Miss USA organization has been embroiled in controversy for years, especially in 2022 when contestants faced backlash after alleging misconduct.
In 2023, Max Sebrecht, the husband of ousted Miss USA president Krystle Stewart, was accused of sending “unwanted” sexual messages to contestants.
