Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012, Reacts to Sudden Miss USA Resignations: 'I Feel for Everybody' (Exclusive)

"It's so unfortunate," Culpo tells PEOPLE, adding that she can only ever hope that other winners "had the same experience I did"

• Olivia Culpo, a former Miss USA who won Miss Universe 2012, shared her thoughts after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava suddenly resigned from their titles earlier this month

• "It's so unfortunate," the 32-year-old model tells PEOPLE

• Voigt announced her resignation, citing her mental health, on May 6, while Srivastava resigned two days later, saying her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization"

Olivia Culpo is sharing her thoughts amid the fallout of Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava suddenly resigning from their titles.

"It's so unfortunate," Culpo, who was crowned Miss Universe 2012 after originally winning the Miss USA crown, tells PEOPLE while hosting a dinner with nutritional supplements company Thorne in New York City on Tuesday, May 14.

"I feel for everybody involved because I can only hope that they had the same experience I did," she adds.

The 32-year-old model and actress said she's hoping the organization can "help not only the girls who feel like they've been mistreated but also create an environment that future girls — future title holders — feel is fair."

The Miss USA organization did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Related: Why Are Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Stepping Down? Everything to Know About Their Resignations

Citing her mental health, Voigt, 24, announced her decision in an Instagram post on Monday, May 6, writing: "I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being."

"In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health," she wrote. "My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe. Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023."

Related: Noelia Voigt 'Overwhelmed' by Support After Resigning as Miss USA, Will Focus on Being 'Advocate for Mental Health Awareness' (Exclusive)

Two days later, Srivastava announced her own resignation in a post on Instagram, writing that her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”

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“After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023,” she wrote. “I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself.”

Although Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz has since been announced as the new Miss USA 2023, Miss Teen New York went on to decline to become the new Miss Teen USA.

Related: Before Miss USA Resignations, Ex-Employee Spoke Out About Alleged 'Toxicity' and 'Bullying' at the Organization

Hours after Srivastava made her announcement, she appeared at a philanthropic event and told PEOPLE that her resignation was "definitely not my first choice."

"Unfortunately, I can't say much more at this time. But I would like to say that it's a decision that took a lot of careful thinking — and ultimately, I'm excited to see what's next," Srivastava said at the 25th anniversary gala for Smile Train, which supports free cleft palate surgery for millions of children around the world.

"I'm a junior in high school and I'm gonna be applying to colleges," Srivastava told PEOPLE. "So I'm excited to explore my future and find what makes me [me] again."

Related: Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt Excited to Make Her Mark as First Venezuelan-American Winner

In an interview with Good Morning America that aired on May 14, Voght’s mother Jackeline and Srivastava’s mother Barbara called for changes within the Miss USA pageant system.

“I want to make [it] clear, it’s not about what they can get, the prizes… it’s about how they were ill-treated, abused, bullied and cornered,” Barbara alleged. "The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare."

Allegations of toxicity were also made in Voigt's reported resignation letter, a copy of which was obtained by NBC News on May 9.

The Miss USA organization told ABC News in a statement that they are "committed to fostering a healthy, communicative and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders and staff."

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