September 2023 to May 2024
1st runner-up 2022
A native of Morris Plains, UmaSofia Srivastava was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA on 19 March 2023 and won the Garden State’s first national title when she was crowned Miss Teen USA 2023 on 28 September. She followed Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt in resigning in May 2024. UmaSofia is of Mexican and Indian heritage and placed first runner-up in the 2022 pageant when she was only 14. She runs her own blog, That’s Fan Behavior.
Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia from Morris Plains, New Jersey is a 16-year-old high school junior at the Academy of St. Elizabeth and the first Mexican Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA.
Inspired by her heritage and her dad’s nickname for her, “Little Jaguar”, UmaSofia authored and illustrated her book, ‘The White Jaguar,’ to inspire people of all ages to embrace what makes them unique. Throughout the book, the four languages UmaSofia grew up speaking are present: English, Spanish, Hindi, and French.
UmaSofia loves being involved in her school community, as she is the president of the debate club and the Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion campaign which she helped revive after years of inactivity. She is also a student ambassador, Kind Campaign leader, as well as an active participant in Mock Trial and Model UN competitions.
In the summer of 2020, UmaSofia started her blog, Fan Behavior, which explores her experience as a half-Mexican, half-Indian young woman of color. Her blog also covers topics such as feminism, current events, and how to navigate relationships as a teen. Through Fan Behavior, she found the confidence to share her story and hopes that it inspires other young girls like her to share theirs as well.
She is very grateful for the opportunities afforded to her because of her education, which is why she has worked with the Lotus Petal Foundation to help underprivileged kids in India receive the education that every child deserves. This organization provides kids who live in the slums with proper food and education, as well as career opportunities, working to break the poverty cycle.
Half the proceeds of UmaSofia’s book ‘The White Jaguar’ go to the Lotus Petal Foundation and she plans to volunteer at the Lotus Petal School over the summer as well as help to teach virtual classes. UmaSofia also advocates for the importance of education in New Jersey as well, raising over 1,000 books for kids living in inner cities with the Bridge of Books Foundation.
Despite her busy schedule and involvement in her school, UmaSofia has an internship at a political campaign where she volunteers to canvas for local elections in Morris County. Although she cannot vote yet, she encourages teens to advocate for causes they are passionate about, and for those who can, to participate in elections.
In her free time, she loves to play the piano which has been her go-to creative outlet since she was three. UmaSofia’s dream school is Princeton University, hoping to go into public service as a United Nations Ambassador and Humanitarian Lawyer, continuing her activism for education and making a meaningful impact on the world.
With the unwavering love and support from her parents, she cannot wait to see what the future holds for her as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023. UmaSofia hopes to make New Jersey proud as she represents this incredible state at the
2023 Miss Teen USA competition!
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are UmaSofia’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at UmaSofia’s 2022 photos, from when she was first runner-up to Isabella Galan.
