Justus Kelley Makes Miss USA History

Justus Kelley, representing Virginia, was crowned the 75th Miss USA on Thursday at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. This marks a significant moment as she is the first married mother in her thirties to win the national title.

Kelley, who is also a foster mom and author, highlighted the importance of inclusivity in her platform. The Miss USA pageant updated its rules in 2023, allowing married women and mothers to compete, and in 2024, expanded eligibility to all women aged 18 and over, removing the previous age cap of 28.

During the competition, Kelley emphasized that women do not have to choose between their careers, families, and dreams. She proudly shared her identity as a married woman and foster parent. Notably, Kelley also showcased her commitment to sustainability by opting for thrifted clothing throughout the pageant events.

This year's pageant introduced a new 'commercial appeal' category to assess contestants' potential for brand partnerships. Additionally, for the first time, audience votes influenced the top 10 finalists, though the weight of these votes remained undisclosed. The competition faced broadcast changes, with The CW Network withdrawing from airing the finals, which instead streamed live on the Queen Beauty Network.