All articles tagged with #justus kelley
Justus Kelley, 31, became the first married mother and first woman in her 30s to win Miss USA 2026. She trained for the swimsuit competition by using her children's nap times and late nights for workouts, including core exercises and walking classes with her baby in a carrier. Kelley, a foster parent, aims to represent women balancing family and ambition at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant.
Justus Kelley, a 31-year-old foster mother and wife, became the first married mother to win Miss USA in 2026. She prepared for the competition by integrating workouts into her children's nap times and late-night routines, including doing squats while holding a toddler and practicing interview questions during feedings. Kelley, who succeeded Audrey Eckert at the 75th national pageant in Miami on August 27, emphasized that her victory challenges the notion that women must choose between family and personal ambitions. The prize package includes a $150,000 salary, a Range Rover, and a luxury apartment lease, totaling over $685,000. Kelley stated her goal is to represent women who balance caregiving with professional dreams, noting that her husband has supported her pageant journey for nearly a decade.
Justus Kelley, Miss Virginia USA 2026, was crowned Miss USA 2026, becoming the pageant’s first mother and first married winner in its 75-year history. When asked what her year would say about American women, she said that women no longer have to choose between ambitious careers, families and dreams. Kelley is a foster mom of two, a children’s book author, and founder of Foster Footprints, highlighting a message of empowerment and balance for women.
Miss Virginia Justus Kelley won Miss USA 2026 in Miami, becoming the first married mother to hold the title after the 2023 rule change; she’ll compete for Miss Universe in November in Puerto Rico, as the pageant marks its 75th Diamond Anniversary.
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.
Miss Virginia Justus Kelley, 31, was crowned Miss USA 2026 at the 75th Miss USA pageant in Miami, becoming the first married woman and mother to win the title and the first Virginian to do so since 1970; she will compete in Miss Universe in Puerto Rico in November. The pageant introduced a new 'commercial appeal' category and allowed audience voting, while the broadcast faced changes after The CW dropped the finals, with the event streamed on Queen Beauty Network instead.