Virginia's Justus Kelley Wins Miss USA 2026, Heads to Miss Universe

Miss Virginia Justus Kelley, a 31-year-old Arlington resident and founder of Foster Footprints, was crowned Miss USA 2026 in Miami and will compete for Miss Universe in November in San Juan, Puerto Rico; first runner-up Miss Florida Aileen Cerchiara would take the title if she cannot participate. The pageant marked its 75th Diamond Anniversary with the '75 Years of Icons' theme and was streamed on Queen Beauty Network after The CW dropped live coverage, amid drama including the dethronement of Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse and a related defamation lawsuit against the Miss USA Organization.