Key Highlights
- Historic Win: Justus Kelley made history by becoming the first mother to win Miss USA.
- Firsts: Kelley is also the first married woman and the first winner in her 30s.
- Anniversary Celebration: The event marked the 75th edition of the Miss USA pageant.
- Rule Change: The pageant lifted age and motherhood restrictions three years prior.
It was a historic night for Miss USA.
The 75th edition of the national beauty pageant crowned Miss Virginia USA 2026 Justus Kelley as the winner at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Aug. 27.
With her win, Kelley—who is married to Tyler Kelley—became the first ever mother to win Miss USA. The 31-year-old is also the first married woman to win, as well as the pageant’s first winner in her 30s.
“I’m Justus Kelley and I just won Miss USA 2026,” she said in a video posted to Miss USA’s Instagram page. “This opportunity means the world to me, and not only are we celebrating the 75th anniversary but we made history tonight. I’m the first married woman, first mom, and first woman in her 30s. It’s a great night.”
Kelley’s win comes three years after the organization removed a restriction that prohibited moms and women over the age of 28 from competing in the pageant. Starting in 2023, Miss USA allowed women over the age of 18 to compete.
