Justus Kelley, a 31-year-old foster mother and nonprofit founder from Virginia, won the 75th Miss USA pageant in Miami on Thursday, becoming the first married woman and first mother to claim the crown since eligibility rules changed in 2023.

Justus Kelley was crowned Miss USA 2026 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami on Thursday, marking Virginia's first Miss USA winner since 1970. At 31 years old, Kelley made history as the first married woman, first mother, and first woman in her 30s to win the title. She is a foster parent to two children, a nonprofit founder, and children's book author. The pageant only began allowing married women and mothers to compete in 2023, with age restrictions also loosening to permit all women 18 and older to enter as of 2024.

Kelley will represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November. During the competition's final question round, she spoke about reconciling ambition with family life, stating that women should no longer have to choose between careers, families, and their dreams. Fifty-one contestants competed across swimsuit, evening gown, and interview rounds, with the final show ultimately broadcast on the Queen Beauty Network streaming service rather than The CW, which withdrew from airing the event due to unresolved contractual issues with the production arrangements.

This year's pageant introduced a new judging category called "commercial appeal," designed to assess contestants' potential to attract brand partnerships and sponsorships. Fan voting was also incorporated for the first time, with audience members given a 12-minute window to vote on the top 10 finalists, though the specific weight given to these votes alongside judges' scores remained unclear. Kelley noted her commitment to accessibility, noting she wore entirely thrifted clothing throughout the competition to demonstrate that pageant contestants need not spend substantial sums on their wardrobes.