Miss USA 2026 is Justus Kelley of Virginia


Justus Kelley of Virginia edged out 50 other contestants to win Miss USA 2026 on Thursday, August 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida.

The 31-year-old senior philanthropic advisor and model also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award. She was crowned by her predecessor Audrey Eckert of Nebraska.

Aileen Cerchiara of Florida was named first runner-up while Elizabeth Voight of Pennsylvania, Madeline Erickson of Iowa, and Alayzia Christopher of Utah were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively.

The rest of the Top 10 finalists were the contestants from Colorado, Jordyn Owen, Connecticut, Jaeden Hamelly, Nebraska, Emily Lenser, Nevada, Natalie Bode, and New York, Jenna Dykstra.

Completing the Top 20 were from Arizona, Kaitlyn Humphrey, California, Acacia McBride, Indiana, Eniolá Oke, Kansas, Madilynn Becker, Kentucky, Brijet Finister, Louisiana, Ella Clark, Minnesota, Rachel Betterley, Montana, Lisbeth Fernández, New Mexico, Cara Rgnonti, and South Carolina, Victoria Vesce.

Former Miss Universe Michelle McLean from Namibia, former Miss USA Deshauna Barber, and former Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson were among the distinguished panel of judges.

The 75th Miss USA pageant was hosted by American actress and TV personality Kenya Moore alongside American actor Ian Ziering.

The new Miss USA has made history as the fist married mother and woman in her 30's to win the prestigious title. She is also the third woman from Virginia to become Miss USA following Wendy Dascomb in 1969 and Deborah Shelton in 1970.

Justus was born and raised in Arlington, Virginia and has a bachelor's degree in community health and master's in public health administration from the Indiana University.

She will now prepare to represent the USA at the 75th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2026) pageant in Puerto Rico this November.

Photo: April Maroshick / Miss USA

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