All articles tagged with #miss usa 2026
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.
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.