Miss Grand USA Dethroned After Just 7 Days Amid Legal Woes

Miss Grand USA has stripped Mekyla Li of her crown, just one week into her reign, citing serious legal entanglements. The pageant organization announced on Wednesday, August 16, 2026, that Li's reign was terminated in accordance with its contractual policies. While the exact reasons were not specified, reports indicate Li is facing two felony hit-and-run charges. These charges stem from a crash that occurred in November 2024 in Los Angeles. Li was arrested days after the incident and subsequently pleaded not guilty.

Further complicating matters, Li is also involved in a civil lawsuit related to the same wreck. The plaintiff claims Li caused the crash, resulting in serious injuries, and then fled the scene without contacting emergency services. Another potential issue involves Li's reported marriage between 2018 and 2019, which could violate pageant rules prohibiting contestants from being or having been married. Li was crowned Miss Grand USA on August 12, 2026, making her reign one of the shortest in the pageant's history.