Miss USA 2026 Justus Kelley Makes History as First Mom to Win Pageant

Aug 28, 2026 - 16:11

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Miss USA 2026 Justus Kelley Makes History as First Mom to Win Pageant

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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.

The Virginia native—who is fostering a baby boy and his sister with her husband—took home a prize package valued at over $685,000 that includes a $150,000 salary, a Range Rover, a one-year lease in a luxury Miami apartment residence, a Westgate Vacation Home Club, and a $30,000 Miss Universe wardrobe, among other prizes.

As the founder of Foster Footprints—an organization which works with foster youth in the Washington, DC, area—Kelley had previously opened up about becoming licensed foster parents in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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"I married my college sweetheart, who shared with me on one of our very first dates that he, too, dreamed of fostering someday," Kelley told People in an interview published Aug. 20. "Thirteen years later, we have welcomed children ranging from 7 months to 10 years old into our home."

"From the beginning, we knew we wanted to be a safe, loving and welcoming home for children of any age, race, orientation or background," she continued. "We wanted every child who came through our doors to know that they were safe, valued and worthy of being loved exactly as they are."

Kelley added that the biological family of the siblings that she and her husband are currently fostering have been an "incredible partner" as they share in the "privilege" of witnessing the kids' "milestones, first steps and countless little moments."

She also explained that the ultimate goal of foster care is "always reunification with the biological family," she and her husband were asked to be the kids' godparents.

As Kelley noted, "While we may not know exactly what our family will look like in the future, we know we want to continue to be a source of stability and comfort for any child who needs it throughout their journey."

Keep reading for more about the Miss USA pageant...

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There Is No Longer an Age Limit

Yes, those eyeing Miss USA's sash and scepter must be at least 18 years old (younger pageant hopefuls can compete for Miss Teen USA). But organizers officially aged out the previous edict that wannabe queens can't compete after 28.

In fact, then-71-year-old Marissa Teijo set a record as the oldest person to compete for the title of Miss Texas USA in 2024.

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Moms and Divorcées Are Now Welcome as Well

Though previous rules banned moms, married or divorced women, they've since made progressive strides down the runway.

"You can be married, divorced, a mom, and you can compete at Miss USA and Miss Universe," Miss USA 2023 Savannah Gankiewicz explained to People, noting she was hopeful the switch would feel more inclusive to those watching at home. "When they see a woman that looks like them or speaks like them they'll feel inspired to do this as well."

But, Yes, You Do Need to Be a United States Citizen

Counting America as your birthplace isn't a requirement for those chasing the title. However, as the site states, you must be a U.S. citizen with a valid passport or the ability to apply for one ASAP.

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You Have to Be a Permanent Resident of Your State

Even if you're born in Alabama, you can technically compete in Alaska, Arizona or Arkansas. To chase a title in a particular state, you must have lived there for the previous three months, be a full-time student (having completed at least one school semester) or work full-time in the state.

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Both Transgender and Cisgender Women Are Eligible to Compete

Yes, queen. Former Miss Nevada USA Kataluna Enriquez became the first openly transgender Miss USA contestant in 2021, nine years after the organization changed its rules to be more inclusive.

Though she ultimately didn't make the top 16, "it was an honor just to be able to represent my community and be an example for young queer children who now know they don't need to be limited by society's standards," Enriquez told Yahoo Life of competing. While she was admittedly "shocked" not to move on, "It's OK because we made an impact… and I received a lot of support and love on social media."

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You Can Only Say Yes to Two Dresses

Best believe all the contestants are bejeweled. But they can choose just two evening gown looks—one for the preliminary contest and one for finals—to make the whole place shimmer.

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Contestants Are Required to Pay Their Own Way

Competing at this level can cost a pretty penny. Gankiewicz told People she relied on donations from friends and family, sponsors and her own savings, noting that the average cost of an evening gown is upwards of $12,000. While she scored her look from the Philippines for "only $6,000," she revealed, "even that was expensive for out of the country."

As for the price of beauty, she added, "You're getting your nails done, your hair done, the gowns, the outfits, the appearances. So you have to work really hard to get that sponsorship."

Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Miss USA

Competing is a One and Done Situation

As Eminem once wisely rapped, you only get one shot. "Once you compete in one state and win that title, you can't compete again," Gankiewicz told People of the intense stakes. "So once you hit that Miss USA stage, this will be your last time."

That's not the case in other countries, however, noted the title holder, who was awarded the distinction after the original winner Noelia Voigt resigned in May 2024.

"That's why girls who have dual citizenship, they go to their countries, which is so nice because you can go to Miss Universe Philippines numerous times until you win that country," she explained. Gankiewicz remains hopeful that rule could change in the future: "Maybe I'll come back in!"