Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava chat with Business Insider about the future of the Miss USA organization

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Welcome back! One woman who's been to 90 countries said that there's one she keeps coming back to again and again. Find out which one. Hint: You can hike glaciers.

On the agenda:

• Improving your posture is the new hot longevity trend.
• Successful men share the workout gear they swear by.
• A sports dietitian weighs in on the benefits — and risks — of a buzzy hydration hack.
• Taylor Swift is making boyfriend Travis Kelce part of her business like never before.

But first: Miss USA is still a mess.

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This week's dispatch

Heavy is the head that wears the crown

When Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava resigned from their Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titles in May 2024, it was the first time that had ever happened in the pageant's 72-year history.

Restricted by NDAs, the two pageant queens couldn't share exactly why they had lost trust in the Miss USA organization, which oversees both pageants. Still, Business Insider's Anneta Konstantinides spoke to their mothers last year, who said they had endured "eight months of torture and abuse" at the hands of Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose — accusations that Rose denied.

Now, for their first joint interview since they both resigned, the two queens sat down together with Konstantinides. Voigt and Srivastava said that they hoped stepping down would do more to change the organization.

"We thought it would have more of an impact," Srivastava said. "It stopped a lot of girls from competing, but it didn't fully put an end to what the issue was. We wish it had done more."

Voigt added that she doesn't see how Miss USA will continue to move forward if nothing changes at the organization, referring to the toxic workplace environment accusations.

"The truth comes out eventually," she continued. "Sometimes, it just takes longer than we want. People's eyes are opening, and the rose-colored glasses — no pun intended — are starting to come off."

They also weighed in on Miss Universe CEO's "blond hair and blue eyes" comment, calling it "destructive."

Rose and representatives for Miss USA and Miss Universe, who oversee the pageants, did not respond to requests for comment.

Sit up straighter

Doing exercises to fix your posture used to be deeply uncool. Now, it's getting a quiet glow-up.

Influencers and celebrities are hopping on what may be the next big wellness trend, from sharing corrective tips on TikTok to selling branded products. They say good posture, in addition to helping you stay mobile as you age, can help give you the coveted "snatched jaw" look.

Plus, it's cheaper than a facelift.

Successful men's gym essentials

No matter what industry they work in, many successful men say they start their day with exercise. Five of them shared with BI the gear they swear by.

That includes favorite brands like Lululemon and Nike, as well as fitness trackers to help enhance their workouts. One even uses ChatGPT.

No gains left behind.

Just a pinch

From longevity bros to TikTok influencers, adding a pinch of salt to your glass of water is the hottest hydration trend right now. The idea is that it replenishes electrolytes lost through sweat.

Not everyone needs the salty drink, though, a sports dietician told BI's Gabby Landsverk. If you eat a lot of processed foods or takeout, you're probably getting enough sodium, the dietitian said.

Too much can backfire.

Taylor Swift's boyfriend era

The pop star is known for writing songs about boyfriends, but she's rarely involved them in her business ventures. Until now.

Swift went on boyfriend Travis Kelce's "New Heights" podcast to announce her 12th album, "The Life of a Showgirl." It signals a change in her marketing strategy that pulls her partner into the spotlight, writes BI's Callie Ahlgrim.

"Lover," front and center.

Also read:

• Taylor Swift's new album "The Life of a Showgirl" is coming this fall — here's everything we know
• Taylor Swift says you should think of your energy like it's an expensive "luxury item"

What we're watching this weekend

• "Alien: Earth": Noah Hawley, the creator of the TV adaptation of "Fargo," takes on the gargantuan task of making the first-ever TV series from the "Alien" franchise, available now on Hulu.
• "Night Always Comes": In this Netflix original movie, Vanessa Kirby ("The Fantastic Four") plays a desperate mother who has one night to raise $25,000 or her family will be evicted from their home.
• "Superman": The hit blockbuster starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel is now available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

What to shop

• Upgrade your pickleball game: Whether you're picking up a paddle for the first time or refining your game, you've got a lot of pickleball paddles to choose from. We took it to the court to test, and these picks stood out for all the right reasons.
• Little vacuums for big messes: We tested a range of compact carpet cleaners to find the best for tackling messes — think mystery stains, pet accidents, and everyday spills. These picks will help you get the job done without hauling out heavy gear.
• Affordable luxury, mixed results: Over the years of testing Quince's "affordable‑luxury" offerings, we found that about half of the items live up to the hype. While some standout pieces worth are holding onto, the rest can feel underwhelming.

More of this week's top reads:

• Weaponized incompetence is back, and it's driving modern women out of their marriages.
• Forget tequila, cellphone plans are the hot way for famous people to capitalize on their fame.
• I tried Gordon Ramsay's 10-minute steak sandwich recipe. It was delicious but took me almost an hour to make.
• I was horribly lonely in my mid-20s. Then I realized: I was a boring, flaky friend.
• A protein researcher shares his easy go-to breakfast for strong muscles and good health.
• A cardiologist shared 4 seemingly healthy habits that can lead to heart failure, from too much protein to overdoing workouts.
• I was born and raised in The Bahamas. Here are 11 of the biggest mistakes I see tourists make.

The BI Today team: Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York.