Justice Kelly won the Miss USA 2026 pageant in Miami on Thursday, August 27, becoming the first married woman and mother to take the crown.
The 31-year-old contestant represented Virginia, securing the state its first Miss USA title since 1970.
Kelly made history at the 75th anniversary event as both the first mother and the only winner over the age of 30 in the history of the pageant. She accepted the crown from outgoing titleholder Audrey Eckert, 24, of Nebraska.
In addition to her pageantry work, Kelly is a foster mother of two children. She is also the founder of a non-profit organization and an author of children's books.
Prize package and perks
Along with the title, Kelly secured a prize package valued at more than $685,000. The package includes an annual salary of $150,000, a new Range Rover, and one year of free living accommodations in a luxury Miami apartment.
She will also receive a wardrobe collection worth $30,000 to prepare for her upcoming participation in the Miss Universe pageant, alongside several other exclusive privileges.
Anniversary event in Miami
The national competition took place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, bringing together 50 contestants from across the country. According to People magazine, the milestone edition carried the theme 75 Years of Icons to celebrate the long history of the institution.
The Miss USA pageant was established in 1952 as an annual national competition to select the United States representative for the international Miss Universe pageant. Historical eligibility rules previously restricted contestants based on age and marital status, making Kelly's victory a landmark shift for the organization.
As the newly crowned Miss USA, Kelly will now represent the United States on the global stage at the Miss Universe pageant during her yearlong reign.
