Justus Kelley has made history as the first ever married woman and mother to become Miss USA 2026.
Miss USA announced the winner of the 75th edition of the national pageant on Thursday, August 27, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, People reported.
The 2026 pageant was themed “75 Years of Icons” to mark the historic year. 50 contestants participated for the title that was won by 31-year-old Justus Kelley.
Kelley who was also won Miss Virginia USA 2026 was crowned by last year’s winner Audrey Eckert.
The pageant celebrated the women of Miss USA, who have held crowns for the past 75 years. Just before the title was announced, the pageant invited legacy queens to the stage to be thanked for representing the crown over the last five years.
Hosts Kenya Moore and Ian Ziering invited some of the legacy queens on stage to announce the top five. Miss Utah USA Alayzia Christopher placed fourth runner-up. Iowa’s Madeline Erickson placed third runner-up. Miss Pennsylvania USA Elizabeth Voight placed as second runner-up.
In the last two weeks leading up to the pageant, the 51 contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia spent time in Miami, preparing for the preliminary competitions, including the costume competition and preliminary swimsuit competitions.
This year’s Miss USA will walk away with a prize package valued at over $685,000, which includes a $150,000 salary, a Range Rover, a one-year lease in a luxury Miami apartment residence, a Westgate Vacation Home Club, a $30,000 Miss Universe wardrobe, and more.
