The current reigning Miss Grand USA has been stripped of her prestigious title. Per the New York Post, this comes after an alleged 2024 hit and run came to light.
Mekayla Li had won Miss Grand USA on August 10. She had also previously won Miss Grand Massachusetts 2026, as well as Miss Asia USA 2025.
Miss Grand USA posted on social media to announce that they were severing ties with Li. "Miss Grand USA announces the termination of Mekalya Li's reign and her release from the Miss Grand USA Title and all associated duties. This decision was made in accordance with contractual policies outlined by the Miss Grand USA organization."
They also asked that "all dialogue surrounding this transition remain respectful." They added they "stand firmly against bullying, harassment, defamation, degrading remarks and personal attacks of any kind."
This comes after some pretty troubling info came out about Li and a hit and run. She had been arrested on November 24, 2024 over a hit and run.
She had allegedly swerved into oncoming traffic and collided a vehicle which was being driven by Anna Mercedes Aoun. Aoun alleges the hit and run left her with "catastrophic injuries", including "some permanent disability."
She further alleges Li, and a passenger in the car, Michael Scoby, "fled the scene" rather than calling 911.
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The Hit and Run Violated Miss Grand USA's Policy
Miss Grand USA has several policies relating to the backgrounds of their beauty queens. One of these is that contestants "must have a clean personal record with no criminal history."
But, the hit and run wasn't the only thing that caused friction with Miss Grand USA. Other information was also released pertaining to her marriage in 2018 to Danny Ray Bedwell.
While this of course is not on the same level as pending criminal charges, this is also against Miss Grand USA's rules. They state that contestants "cannot be or have been married or pregnant."
Following this revelation, the runner-up of the competition, Miss Grand Indiana Victoria Oluwakotanmi, has been given the throne. She hasn't acknowledged her rival's dethroning, but has shared congratulatory messages online.
