Miss Grand USA winner dethroned a week after crowning over hit-and-run, marriage allegations

The winner of the Miss Grand USA pageant has been stripped of her title just one week after her crowning, following allegations involving a hit-and-run accident and questions about her marital status.

The Miss Grand USA organizing committee issued a statement Wednesday saying it had revoked the title of 2026 winner Mekyla Lee, 27, and removed her from all official positions associated with the pageant.

"This decision was made in accordance with the contractual policies of the Miss Grand USA organization," the committee said.

Lee had claimed the Miss Grand USA crown on Aug. 10. Within a week, however, revelations about her past began to circulate and ultimately cost her the title.

Citing court records, People magazine reported that Lee faces two felony charges in connection with a traffic accident that occurred in Los Angeles in November 2024.

Lee and a passenger crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle. The driver of that vehicle filed a civil lawsuit alleging the crash left them with severe injuries, including some permanent disabilities.

The victim further alleged that Lee and her passenger did not call for help after the collision and instead used a rideshare service — Uber — to leave the scene.

Lee was arrested on Nov. 24, 2024, but has maintained her innocence on all charges.

Her marital history also drew scrutiny. Lee married a man in August 2018 and remained legally wed until Dec. 31, 2019.

People noted that the pageant's rules state that contestants must not be married or pregnant, raising questions about whether Lee met the eligibility requirements when she entered.

Lee, who has Chinese and South African heritage, grew up across three continents. She had previously won titles including Miss Grand Massachusetts 2026 and Miss Asia USA 2025.

Following Lee's dethroning, the organizing committee named the runner-up, Victoria Oluwakotanmi of Miss Indiana, as the new Miss Grand USA.