Home / Arts and Entertainment / Miss USA Falls Twice, Crowns New Queen Gracefully
Miss USA Falls Twice, Crowns New Queen Gracefully
28 Aug
Summary
- Outgoing Miss USA Audrey Eckert stumbled twice during her final walk.
- New Miss USA Justus Kelley of Virginia was crowned as the successor.
- Eckert reflected on the falls, finding humility and humor in the moment.
During her final walk at the 2026 Miss USA pageant, outgoing titleholder Audrey Eckert experienced two on-stage tumbles due to her gown. Host Ian Ziering assisted her, and the audience applauded her recovery.
Eckert, who had also fallen backstage, called the moment overwhelming but later found it humbling. She embraced the experience, drawing parallels to Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar night fall, and expressed a desire for grace and recognition of her human experience.
Justus Kelley of Virginia was crowned the new Miss USA 2026. The pageant, themed '75 Years of Icons,' celebrated the organization's history with appearances from former titleholders.
Notable figures like Miss USA 1993 Kenya Moore, choreographer Mia Michaels, and founder of The Shade Room, Angelica Nwandu, were involved in the event as hosts or judges.
