Justus Kelley Wins Miss USA 2026, Makes History

Justus Kelley of Virginia was crowned Miss USA 2026 on Thursday, August 27, in Miami, becoming the first mother and first married woman to win the national title. The 31-year-old received the crown from Miss USA 2025 Audrey Eckert at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts during the pageant’s 75th anniversary competition.

The short answer: Justus Kelley, representing Virginia, won Miss USA 2026 on August 27, 2026. Her victory is historic because she is the first mother and first married woman to hold the Miss USA title after eligibility rules were expanded in recent years.

Kelley’s win came during the pageant’s 75th anniversary edition, themed “75 Years of Icons,” with contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Miss USA 2026 result at a glance

Detail	Confirmed information
Winner	Justus Kelley, Miss Virginia USA 2026
Date crowned	August 27, 2026
Location	Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, Florida
Age	31
Historic firsts	First mother and first married woman to win Miss USA
Outgoing titleholder	Audrey Eckert, Miss USA 2025
First runner-up	Aileen Cerchiara, Miss Florida USA
Next major competition	Miss Universe in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November 2026
Prize package	Valued at more than $685,000, according to PEOPLE

Who is Justus Kelley?

Kelley entered the national competition as Miss Virginia USA 2026. Reporting from PEOPLE and Business Insider describes her as a foster mother, nonprofit founder, children’s book author and public health professional. She has also worked as an adviser at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and founded Foster Footprints, an organization focused on supporting young people in foster care in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region.

Before the final, Kelley used her arrival to draw attention to how some children in foster care move their belongings in trash bags, tying the moment to her foster-care advocacy.

Why is Kelley’s Miss USA win historic?

The significance of Kelley’s victory is tied directly to changes in pageant eligibility. Miss USA rules were expanded to allow married women and mothers to compete, ending restrictions that had excluded them from the national contest. Kelley became the first contestant to turn those expanded rules into a national win.

Her victory reflects the broader eligibility changes that opened the competition to married women, mothers and older contestants.

Who finished behind Justus Kelley?

The top five, as reported after the final, were: Justus Kelley of Virginia; Aileen Cerchiara of Florida (first runner-up); Elizabeth Voight of Pennsylvania (second); Madeline Erickson of Iowa (third); and Alayzia Christopher of Utah (fourth). Business Insider’s result coverage

What does the Miss USA 2026 winner receive?

PEOPLE reported that the Miss USA 2026 prize package is valued at more than $685,000, including a $150,000 salary, use of a Range Rover, a one-year Miami apartment lease and a $30,000 Miss Universe wardrobe, among other benefits. PEOPLE’s prize-package report

The headline value represents the combined stated value of the package, not a single cash payment. Individual benefits can have different terms, tax consequences and usage conditions, so the published package value should not be read as Kelley receiving the full amount in cash.

How was Miss USA 2026 broadcast?

The pageant streamed on Queen Beauty Network after The CW dropped its planned broadcast shortly before competition week. Miss USA later cited a contractual issue involving production arrangements.

What happens next for Miss USA 2026?

Kelley now begins her year as Miss USA, a role that typically includes public appearances, sponsor commitments, media work and preparation for Miss Universe. The next major international step is expected in November, when she is due to represent the United States in Puerto Rico.