71-year-old El Pasoan makes history competing for Miss Texas USA, hopes to inspire others
A 71-year-old made history this weekend by competing for the title of Miss Texas USA, giving new meaning to the old adage that age is just a number.
Marissa Teijo, Miss Paso del Norte, set the record for the oldest contestant in pageant history when she took the stage as one of 75 contestants vying for the crown, according to ABC News El Paso affiliate KVIA.
Although Aarieanna Ware, Miss Dallas, eventually won the title in shows held from June 21 to 23 in Houston, Texas, Teijo told KVIA that she hopes she can inspire others and encourage people to "just be confident."
"I hope that people will look at us as older women as still being beautiful in our own way," Teijo said. "Beauty is not just on the outside but it's on the inside also."
"Young women have dreams but older people have dreams also," Teijo added.
In a press release from Bazaar Model Management on Monday, Teijo said she initially had "misgivings" and declined to compete in the Miss Texas USA pageant but eventually changed her mind after multiple discussions with Bazaar Model Management CEO Jackie Garcia.
"I began to realize I could do it and inspire older ladies and young ones too that there is beauty at any age if you lead a healthy and active lifestyle. So, that became my goal instead of just striving to win," Teijo said.
"Overall, I believe my goal in entering the pageant was achieved, and I can truly say it was an amazing fairytale experience, one that I never ever dreamed I would be experiencing. I would like to also add that fitness, especially weightlifting, and being strong are the ultimate goals. Looking beautiful is secondary because fitness and healthy living are the best defenses against aging," Teijo added.
According to KVIA, Teijo has competed in at least a dozen fitness competitions over the years. The 71-year-old was able to enter the Miss Texas USA pageant competition after the Miss Universe Organization eliminated age limit restrictions in all of their associated pageants, paving the way for any adult woman to compete.
The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organizations made headlines in May after both 2023 titleholders resigned days apart. Former Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt cited mental health in her resignation announcement while former Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava said she resigned because her "personal values no longer fully align[ed] with the direction of the organization." In Voigt's resignation letter, obtained by ABC News, Voigt also alleged the Miss USA Organization cultivated a toxic work environment.
Voigt and Srivastava's mothers -- Jackeline Voigt and Barbara Srivastava -- also both spoke out on "Good Morning America" following their daughters' resignations and called for their nondisclosure agreements to be lifted, claiming their daughters experienced emotional abuse while participating in pageant activities.
The Miss USA Organization has pushed back on the claims and told ABC News previously, "We are committed to fostering a healthy, communicative and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders and staff."
