Published August 28th, 2026 - 12:53 GMT
ALBAWABA - Virginia's Miss USA makes history with a groundbreaking victory.Miss Virginia Justus Kelley won the 75th Miss USA pageant on Thursday in Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, making her the Virginia's first winner since 1970. She was crowned by Audrey Eckert, Miss USA 2025.Justus Kelley, 31, is a foster mother of two, nonprofit founder, and children's book author. She is the first married woman, mother, and woman in her thirties to win Miss USA. The pageant only began allowing married women and mothers to compete in 2023, and 2024 marked the first year when all women aged 18 and above were eligible. The previous cut-off age was 28.Kelley will represent the United States at the Miss Universe contest in Puerto Rico this November.During the preliminary competition earlier this week in Miami, 51 women competed for the Miss USA crown, going through swimsuit, evening gown, and interview stages.The top 20 competed in an onstage swimwear round, while the top ten competed in an evening gown round.Those in the top five were asked to answer a final question. Kelley's question was, "For 75 years, Miss USA has reflected the changing face of American women." As the 75th Miss USA, what do you hope your year will reveal about women in America today? "We're here today to celebrate Miss USA's 75th anniversary, but we also have the potential to make history," Kelley said. "I'm 31 years old, I'm married to my college sweetheart of nine years, and we are proud foster parents of two adorable siblings that absolutely have my heart. "What my year as Miss USA will entail and look like is no longer a question of whether we must choose between our ambitious careers, our families, or our biggest desires," she added. "I'm standing on this stage embracing every part of who I am, and I believe that I can be your next Miss USA."During a post-pageant press conference, she expressed gratitude for her historic victory, calling it "a huge honor." "I look at this as a responsibility to know that I was trusted to be the first," she said on being the first mother and married woman to win the title, adding that she "won't be the last."Justus Kelley, an avid thrifter, wore used clothing for the pageant. "I went into the competition weekend with an all-thrifted wardrobe for each phase," she explained. "I loved one of my first USA state pageants, walking in with a really special suit that I found in Goodwill, and as soon as I walked in, the judges said, 'Oh, you look stunning,' and I said, 'Thank you, $9.99 at Goodwill.'"Though she fell in love with the thrill of "the hunt" while thrifting, she later recognized it was a chance to show people that you "don't have to spend a million dollars" to be on the pageant stage.
