Miss Virginia Justus Kelley has been crowned Miss USA 2026, securing the prestigious title during the pageant's annual event on Thursday, Aug. 27, in Miami. The competition marked the organization's 75th Diamond Anniversary, celebrated under the theme "75 Years of Icons." According to the official website, the organization has spent three-quarters of a century showcasing "dynamic, accomplished women who reflect the confidence, diversity and ambition of modern America."
During the final moments of the ceremony, the outgoing Miss USA, Audrey Eckert of Nebraska, passed the crown to Kelley. Eckert concluded her reign with a memorable moment of resilience, receiving a standing ovation from the audience after recovering from two accidental tumbles on the stage. Following her crowning, Kelley celebrated her new title with a traditional spin on the stage, displaying her bouquet and sparkling tiara.
Miss Florida Aileen Cerchiara was named the first runner-up. She will assume the Miss USA duties and represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant if Kelley is unable to fulfill her role. Kelley, a 31-year-old resident of Arlington, Virginia, is the fifth woman from her state to win the national crown. She is scheduled to travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November to compete on the global stage for the Miss Universe title.
Kelley holds a bachelor's degree in community health and a master's degree in public health administration from Indiana University. Professionally, she serves as an adviser at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Beyond her career, she is the founder of Foster Footprints, a philanthropic organization that provides support to foster youth in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) region. She and her husband have also been licensed foster parents in Virginia for nearly two years. She shared that she married her college sweetheart, who had expressed a mutual dream of fostering during one of their first dates. Thirteen years later, the couple has welcomed children ranging in age from 7 months to 10 years old into their home.
This year’s national pageant featured significant behind-the-scenes adjustments, notably streaming on the Queen Beauty Network instead of broadcasting on television. Just a week before the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants were scheduled to air, The CW Network announced it would no longer carry the events. In a statement, the network explained that after careful consideration and discussions with the Miss USA Organization, it decided to forego the broadcasts, wishing the contestants well.
The Miss USA Organization expressed enthusiasm about its ongoing partnership with the Queen Beauty Network. In a subsequent statement shared on social media, the organization clarified that an unresolved "contractual issue" with production arrangements prevented the planned live broadcast on The CW. Although they were unable to reach mutually agreeable terms for this year's event, the organization expressed gratitude for its relationship with the network and noted it remains open to future collaborations.
The broadcast transition was not the only controversy surrounding the pageant leading up to the coronation. Weeks after winning her state title, Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse was stripped of her crown. A Blaize Productions, the license holder for the North Carolina pageant, announced on Aug. 5 that the decision followed a review of recently surfaced information that did not align with the organization's values. Thom Brodeur, the CEO of Miss USA, confirmed the disqualification, emphasizing that the organization does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia, or language that strips individuals of their dignity. First runner-up Myla Hadley subsequently assumed the Miss North Carolina title and competed in the national pageant. Boltinhouse has since initiated a lawsuit against the pageant and its organizers, alleging that the decision caused severe damage to her reputation.
