Miss Virginia USA Justus Kelley, 31, was crowned Miss USA on Thursday, marking a historic moment as the first mother to hold the national title. This achievement comes just days after the Miss USA organization faced a lawsuit from a former contestant, Brittany Boltinhouse.
The 75th Miss USA pageant saw 51 contestants compete. Kelley's win is significant, as the organization had previously maintained strict rules prohibiting mothers and married women from competing or winning. In August 2022, however, the Miss USA organization announced a rule change, effective for the 2023 pageant, allowing married, divorced, and mothers to participate.
Kelley, who is also the first married woman to win the pageant and the first woman in her 30s to secure the title, expressed her excitement on Instagram, calling it a "great night" and emphasizing the historical significance of her win. She and her husband, Tyler, are foster parents to two children. Kelley has previously spoken about her desire to provide a safe and loving home for children, regardless of their background.
The pageant's landmark win is shadowed by a recent lawsuit filed by Brittany Boltinhouse, who was stripped of her Miss North Carolina USA title earlier this month. Organizers cited "recently surfaced information" for the decision, leading to the runner-up, Myla Hadley, assuming the Miss North Carolina USA crown and competing in Kelley's place.
While the Miss USA organization did not detail the specific information that led to Boltinhouse's disqualification, screenshots circulated online purportedly showing posts from her account containing the N-word from 2017 and 2019. Thom Brodeur, chairman of Miss USA, stated that the organization "does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity," adding that the decision was based on "conduct over an extended period of time."
Boltinhhouse's lawsuit, filed by her legal team, accuses Miss USA and A Blaize productions, the executive producer and state license holder for Miss North Carolina USA pageants, of orchestrating a "catastrophic, global campaign to injure" her. Her lawyers allege the organization "weaponized their social media platforms" against her, turning her into a target of accusations of racism, homophobia, transphobia, and bigotry. Boltinhouse, who identifies as a "proud conservative" and "God-fearing" woman, has suggested her title was revoked due to her "political and religious stance" rather than the alleged racial slur.
In the legal filing, Boltinhouse's lawyers noted that the decision to strip her of her title was "justifiable" and that she is not seeking reinstatement or contract damages. Instead, she is seeking compensatory damages for alleged injuries to her reputation, humiliation, emotional distress, and loss of professional and economic opportunities caused by the defendants' conduct.
A representative for A Blaize Productions countered that Boltinhouse was not removed due to her political or religious affiliations, stating that "Contestants and titleholders are not prohibited from holding or expressing personal political or religious beliefs." The company asserted that "previously undisclosed information and publicly available material" were brought to their attention following her crowning. They maintained that the decision was based on "conduct and material that the organization determined was inconsistent with the standards and responsibilities associated with serving as Miss North Carolina USA." The statement also noted that Boltinhouse was repeatedly informed of the factors contributing to the decision, which they distinguished from her personal beliefs.
A Blaize Productions stated that due to anticipated litigation, they would refrain from publicly discussing the specifics of private communications or evidence. However, they reaffirmed their support for the process and the decision made, while also urging the public to avoid bullying or harassment directed at Ms. Boltinhouse.