Miss Grand USA stripped of crown over hit-and-run, marriage

Miss Grand USA Mekyla Li has been stripped of her crown only a week after being crowned, following revelations of an alleged hit-and-run incident and a previous marriage. The Miss Grand USA organization announced the termination of Li's reign, stating she had violated the pageant's rules and contractual policies.

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This decision was made in accordance with contractual policies outlined by the Miss Grand USA organisation.

Li, 27, is currently facing two felony charges stemming from an alleged hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles in November 2024. Court records indicate she pleaded not guilty to charges of causing non-serious injury and permanent serious injury. A civil lawsuit alleges that Li and a companion swerved into oncoming traffic, colliding with another vehicle and causing "catastrophic injuries" and "permanent disability" to the driver, Anna Mercedes Aoun. The lawsuit further claims Li and her companion fled the scene without calling for emergency services.

Furthermore, Li's past marriage appears to conflict directly with the eligibility requirements for the Miss Grand International pageant. Official rules state that contestants "cannot be or have been married or pregnant" and "must have a clean personal record with no criminal history." Records show Li was married from August 2018 to December 2019.

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cannot be or have been married or pregnant and must have a clean personal record with no criminal history.

Following Li's disqualification, the Miss Grand USA organization named Miss Grand Indiana, Victoria Oluwakotanmi, as her successor. Oluwakotanmi, who was the first runner-up, will now represent the United States at the Miss Grand International pageant later this year in India.

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Victoria now steps forward to carry the crown, represent the United States, and begin an extraordinary new chapter with the Miss Grand USA organization.