History was made on Thursday, August 27, at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami when Justus Kelley was officially crowned Miss USA 2026. Representing Virginia, the 31-year-old model, author, and advocate broke long-standing pageant barriers by becoming the first married woman and the first mother to ever capture the prestigious title in the organization’s 75-year history.
Kelley’s monumental win comes three years after the Miss USA organization overhauled its eligibility rules, officially lifting restrictions that previously barred married women, mothers, and contestants over the age of 28 from competing.
Triple-Threat Firsts: Beyond being the first mom and married titleholder, Kelley is also the first woman in her 30s to take home the crown.
Inspiring Background: Kelley entered the national pageant as a foster mother of two, a global ambassador for St. Jude, and the author of the children’s book series More Than One Thing.
The Winner’s Circle: Kelley succeeded 2025 titleholder Audrey Eckert of Nebraska, triumphing over a final five that included runner-up Aileen Cerchiara of Florida.
“This opportunity means the world to me, and not only are we celebrating the 75th anniversary, but we made history tonight,” Kelley shared in a post-win statement. Her historic victory marks a major shift for modern pageantry, opening the door for a more inclusive era of leadership and representation.
