The Miss USA Organization now seems determined to repair and reconcile the series of missteps and administrative shortcomings left behind by its former management, signaling a renewed commitment to fairness, transparency, and professional stewardship. One of the most striking recent demonstrations of this effort came when the organization finally issued the long-overdue $10,000 scholarship payment due to Miss Teen USA 2024, Addie Carver — funds she had been promised at the time of her win but had not received for nearly an entire year.
Carver, who earned her national title in August 2024, had maintained an understated public presence throughout a turbulent period marked by leadership changes and internal controversy within the organization. Although she refrained from publicly revealing the internal challenges she experienced, her reserved comments during her farewell video — played before her concluding walk as Miss Teen USA on October 23 — hinted at the difficulties she encountered, acknowledging that her reign was characterized by significant “ups and downs.” Her words, though understated, encapsulated what many in the industry recognized as a time of instability and transformation.
The legal and administrative complications surrounding her experience stem from allegations raised against Laylah Rose, the former Miss USA CEO who oversaw operations during 2023 and 2024. A recent lawsuit filed against Rose claims that under her leadership, several winners—including both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders—did not receive the prizes and scholarship funds that were contractually guaranteed to them. Among those reportedly affected was Carver herself. Rose’s company, VVV Global Enterprises (VVV Global Ent.), has denied these accusations through a countersuit, asserting that it fulfilled its responsibilities and that the claims are unfounded.
When presented with inquiries by Business Insider, the newly restructured Miss USA Organization confirmed that it had personally ensured Carver received the financial award in September 2025. To substantiate this, the publication reviewed screenshots documenting transfers via Venmo and Zelle made from the new leadership team to Carver and her mother. For Carver, this payment represented more than a simple financial transaction; it embodied a restoration of trust and accountability she had long awaited. In speaking with Business Insider, she acknowledged that while she was not deeply familiar with the intricate details of the ongoing litigation, she did recognize that the new leadership team had gone to great lengths to support her—far exceeding the level of communication and care she experienced in the prior year. She expressed gratitude, emphasizing that the organization’s renewed efforts had “amplified [her] experience” as Miss Teen USA and profoundly improved the closing months of her tenure.
The problems she faced were part of a broader structural dispute. On October 3, JKN Universe—the global entertainment entity that owns the Miss Universe Organization and oversees both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA—filed a lawsuit accusing VVV of fostering a toxic workplace and of failing to pay several financial awards. These alleged failures included Miss USA 2024 Alma Cooper’s $100,000 salary and overdue scholarship payments owed to both Carver and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava. The complaint further reflected widespread dissatisfaction among participants, as both Srivastava and Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt resigned from their positions in May 2024, citing Rose’s leadership as a principal cause. Srivastava, while choosing not to comment on the recent legal proceedings, had previously disclosed to Business Insider that she “never saw that $15,000 in scholarship money” that was meant to accompany her title.
Carver, who had remained publicly silent on the issue, became a focal point in the investigation once her agent began reaching out to Rose in February 2025 to request the long-delayed scholarship disbursement. JKN Universe reportedly became aware of the nonpayment at that point, prompting intervention from the new Miss USA administration to ensure she finally received her funds.
In response, VVV filed a countersuit on October 20 in which it denied all allegations of nonpayment involving both Srivastava and Carver. Regarding Alma Cooper’s unpaid salary, VVV contended that she was unable to legally accept the $100,000 because of her active-duty status in the United States Army. According to the filing, VVV had discussed the matter with Army officials and was informed that, as an enlisted service member, Cooper could not receive outside compensation. Thus, while conceding that Cooper “received no salary,” the company maintained it had adhered fully to regulatory requirements.
Documents obtained by Business Insider, however, provided further nuance. The publication reviewed a signed October 2024 agreement between the U.S. Army Recruiting Command and Miss USA outlining the conditions of Cooper’s participation. This document indicated that she was permitted to receive hourly compensation for her involvement in approved Miss USA events, provided they were officially sanctioned by the Army and coordinated through the Miss USA Organization. It also noted that any additional benefits, including a titleholder’s apartment or standard salary, would likewise be contingent upon military clearance. The U.S. Army’s Recruiting Division public affairs director, Christina Bhatti, confirmed the general policy allowing soldiers to engage in secondary employment with command approval, clarifying that the responsibility for any payments owed rested squarely with the Miss USA Organization. Rose herself declined to comment.
As a new chapter begins for the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organizations, significant shifts in leadership and policy have started to reshape the pageant system’s reputation and internal culture. Under the stewardship of Thom Brodeur, the recently appointed CEO and president, the organization has introduced sweeping changes designed to modernize both competitions and enhance transparency. Central to these reforms is an expanded prize package for future winners. The new offerings for Miss Teen USA, for instance, now include a coveted feature in Teen Vogue, a $25,000 cash award, and a four-year academic scholarship to Mississippi State University—the same institution where Carver is currently enrolled as a freshman.
When asked to reflect on the updated package, Carver admitted with a good-natured laugh that she felt “a little bit jealous” not to be eligible for the additional rewards herself. Nevertheless, she expressed genuine excitement for her successor, Mailyn Marsh, whom she personally crowned as Miss Teen USA 2025, speaking with warmth and optimism about the young queen’s future contributions.
Looking back on her journey, Carver shared that this new phase of organizational revival rekindled her faith in both herself and the broader purpose of pageantry. For her, the dignity of the crown is not merely ornamental but symbolic of service, integrity, and perseverance. She explained that throughout the most difficult months of her tenure, she held fast to her mission of inspiring other young women to pursue their ambitions in spite of setbacks. Now, with renewed confidence in the leadership guiding the Miss USA system, she hopes that her experience will encourage others to view pageantry not as a source of disillusionment but as a platform for empowerment. In her own words, the organization’s revival “gave [her] hope, and a lot of other people hope too,” underscoring the idea that even in an industry fraught with controversy, genuine progress and accountability are still possible when those in charge embrace transparency and compassion.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-paid-miss-teen-10000-prize-year-later-2025-10
