Justus Kelley, 31, of Virginia has been crowned Miss USA 2026, making history as the first mother to win the prestigious national pageant.
Kelley, who previously held the title of Miss Virginia USA 2026, captured the crown during the 75th edition of Miss USA on Thursday, August 27, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. The milestone edition carried the theme “75 Years of Icons.”
Her victory came after the Miss USA Organization changed its eligibility rules in 2023, removing the previous age limit and allowing mothers to compete. Kelley’s win also makes her the first married woman to hold the Miss USA title.
Last year’s Miss USA, Audrey Eckert, crowned Kelley as her successor.
The Top 5 finalists included Miss Utah USA Alayzia Christopher, who finished fourth runner-up; Miss Iowa USA Madeline Erickson, third runner-up; Miss Pennsylvania USA Elizabeth Voight, second runner-up; and the remaining finalists who competed alongside Kelley for the national crown.
Kelley will receive a prize package valued at more than $685,000, including a $150,000 salary, a Range Rover, a one-year lease in a luxury Miami apartment residence, a Westgate Vacation Home Club membership, and a $30,000 Miss Universe wardrobe, among other benefits.
The newly crowned Miss USA will also be part of the international pageant season, with Kelley set to compete alongside the Philippines’ Bea Millan-Windorski, who will represent the country at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico in November.
Kelley’s historic victory highlights the Miss USA Organization’s evolving eligibility standards and marks a significant moment in the pageant’s 75-year history.
