Miss USA 2026 Justus Kelley Becomes First Mom to Win Pageant

It was a historic night for Miss USA.

The 75th edition of the national beauty pageant crowned Miss Virginia USA 2026 Justus Kelley as the winner at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Aug. 27.

With her win, Kelley—who is married to Tyler Kelley—became the first ever mother to win Miss USA. The 31-year-old is also the first married woman to win, as well as the pageant’s first winner in her 30s.

“I’m Justus Kelley and I just won Miss USA 2026,” she said in a video posted to Miss USA’s Instagram page. “This opportunity means the world to me, and not only are we celebrating the 75th anniversary but we made history tonight. I’m the first married woman, first mom, and first woman in her 30s. It’s a great night.”

Kelley’s win comes three years after the organization removed a restriction that prohibited moms and women over the age of 28 from competing in the pageant. Starting in 2023, Miss USA allowed women over the age of 18 to compete.