A brand new Miss USA has been crowned in one of the biggest beauty pageants of the year.
MissVirginia was named the winner on Thursday, August 27, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. Competing against 50 other women, Jupiter Kelley impressed the jury with her intelligence, her beauty and her talent.
Kelley’s victory marked a historic moment at the event as she became the first mother – and also the first married woman – to be crowned Miss USA.
In 2023, the event changed rules that previously prevented women with children from winning the beauty pageant. The rule change also removed the previously applicable upper age limit.
The Miss USA Organization has announced that Brittany Boltinhouse, who was crowned Miss North Carolina 2026 in June, was stripped of her title after she allegedly made racist comments in resurfaced social media posts. “Today, Brittany Boltinhouse’s reign as Miss North Carolina USA 2026 came to an end,” said Thom Brodeur, Chairman and CEO of (…)
Following tradition, the competition began with a preliminary costume demonstration earlier this week. Participants wore clothing representative of the state they represented.
During the preliminary rounds, contestants modeled both swimwear and evening gowns and also conducted closed-door interviews to assess their communication skills, intelligence and personality.
Jupiter Kelley.
(Photo by Ivan Apfel/Getty Images)The ladies lucky enough to make it to the final part of the competition on Thursday faced various judges, including the founder of The Shade Room Angelica NwanduMiss USA 2016 DeShauna Barber-Echols, Michelle McLean, Madison Anderson, So you think you can dance choreographer Mia Michaels and prominent talent manager Steven Grossman.
The seventh and final judge was the viewer at home, who had the opportunity to judge the contestants live during the Top 20. (Miss USA was streamed live Queen Beauty Network.)
Ultimately, hosts Ian Ziering and Kenya Moore had the honor of announcing the winner in front of a number of special guests including: The valley Star and Miss USA 2014 It’s Sanchez Booko.
“Today we will welcome a new Miss USA to the sisterhood 😍,” she wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “It’s an honor to be here to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Miss USA. Let’s do this!”
Hours before a new Miss USA was crowned, organizers gave thanks Audrey Eckert for all the work she has done over the last year.
Beauty pageants aren’t always pretty. Competition events from Miss USA to Miss Universe have all had their fair share of scandals and controversies over the years. In 1984, Miss America Vanessa Williams famously gave up her crown after nude photos were published in Penthouse. Years later, in 2006, Miss USA Tara Conner kept her sash (…)
“Audrey, from the moment you became Miss USA, you embraced this role with such grace, strength and authenticity. You brought a warmth and heart to this year that made your reign entirely your own 🤍,” organizers wrote via Instagram. “You used your voice to inspire others, led with intention, and represented Miss USA in a way that made us incredibly proud to stand with you.”
The statement continued: “Your reign may be coming to an end, but the impact you made will always be a part of Miss USA. Your story is just beginning. Once Miss USA, always Miss USA 👑✨.”
The Miss USA winner has officially qualified for the Miss Universe pageant, which will be held in Puerto Rico later this year.
