Last year’s Miss USA titleholder has chosen not to participate in the crowning of her successor, adding another layer to the longstanding pageant’s ongoing controversies.

Alma Cooper, who claimed the title in 2024, shared her decision on Instagram, announcing she would not be present at the Miss USA event slated for October 24 in Reno, Nevada.

This choice marks a new setback for the pageant, already reeling from accusations of ‘bullying and harassment’ and reports of a ‘toxic work environment.’

“After careful thought, I’ve come to the very challenging decision to skip this year’s Miss USA pageant and the crowning ceremony,” wrote the Michigan native.

“As I bring this chapter to a close, I do so knowing I’ve completed my journey with integrity, maintaining my self-respect, much like the crown I was privileged to wear.”

Fellow winners including 2024 Miss Teen USA Addie Carver and 2011 Miss USA Alyssa Campanella commented their support.

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.  

Voigt 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.

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. 

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

Loiczly denied the 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.’ 

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. 

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

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.