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Miss USA, Miss Teen USA Pageants Pulled From The CW One Week Before Airing
There’s a new pageant queen in town.
At the conclusion of Miss Teen USA on Aug. 27, Kiran Reddy of Georgia was crowned the 2026 titleholder, picking up the mantle from 2025 winner Mailyn Marsh.
“It feels so surreal,” the 18-year-old told cameras at the close of the ceremony. “And I’m so blessed to represent Georgia and be the first winner.”
She also expressed her excitement to “be the role model I always needed growing up.”
The high school valedictorian did indeed become Georgia’s first winner of Miss Teen USA and took home the $25,000 winner’s pot. And that’s not all—when she was crowned Miss Teen Georgia in July, she also became the first Indian American contestant to ever win the title.
As for her future, while Reddy has reached the pinnacle in teen beauty pageants, she’s long had her sights set on a different kind of accomplishment: becoming a doctor.
And it’s all thanks to her dad, spending countless hours at his medical practice during her childhood.
“Growing up in his office, I fell in love with just seeing him interact with the patients,” she told WALB in July. “I remember playing with his stethoscope. That’s where I fell in love with women’s health and the OBGYN field. So that’s what I hope to pursue in the future.”
At the time—though her big win may alter timelines—Reddy said she planned to enroll at the University of Georgia this fall on a pre-med track.
Kiran Reddy/Instagram
“I grew up passionate about giving back to others,” she explained. “That’s how I was raised. When I started pageants, that just kind of gave me a microphone to enhance that impact that I leave.”
Her entrée into the pageant world, however, occurred later than most, with Reddy not competing in her first competition until she was 15. And after finishing as first-runner up and then second-runner up two years in a row for Miss Georgia Teen USA, she almost didn’t come back for 2026.
“I wondered, like, is this really for me?” she explained. “But I’m so glad I came back. And now I’m here.”
After all, pageantry has given her as much as she’s given it.
“I was terrified to speak to people,” Reddy said of her life before pageants. “I was so shy. I never spoke up in public or in the classroom or anything. And pageantry really helped me find my voice in the interview room.”
After all, “It’s never been about the title, and it’s never been about the crown,” she said. “It’s about the impact.”
For a closer look at the rules of pageantry, read on.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
There Is No Longer an Age Limit
Yes, those eyeing Miss USA's sash and scepter must be at least 18 years old (younger pageant hopefuls can compete for Miss Teen USA). But organizers officially aged out the previous edict that wannabe queens can't compete after 28.
In fact, then-71-year-old Marissa Teijo set a record as the oldest person to compete for the title of Miss Texas USA in 2024.
Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Moms and Divorcées Are Now Welcome as Well
Though previous rules banned moms, married or divorced women, they've since made progressive strides down the runway.
"You can be married, divorced, a mom, and you can compete at Miss USA and Miss Universe," Miss USA 2023 Savannah Gankiewicz explained to People, noting she was hopeful the switch would feel more inclusive to those watching at home. "When they see a woman that looks like them or speaks like them they'll feel inspired to do this as well."
But, Yes, You Do Need to Be a United States Citizen
Counting America as your birthplace isn't a requirement for those chasing the title. However, as the site states, you must be a U.S. citizen with a valid passport or the ability to apply for one ASAP.
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
You Have to Be a Permanent Resident of Your State
Even if you're born in Alabama, you can technically compete in Alaska, Arizona or Arkansas. To chase a title in a particular state, you must have lived there for the previous three months, be a full-time student (having completed at least one school semester) or work full-time in the state.
Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images
Both Transgender and Cisgender Women Are Eligible to Compete
Yes, queen. Former Miss Nevada USA Kataluna Enriquez became the first openly transgender Miss USA contestant in 2021, nine years after the organization changed its rules to be more inclusive.
Though she ultimately didn't make the top 16, "it was an honor just to be able to represent my community and be an example for young queer children who now know they don't need to be limited by society's standards," Enriquez told Yahoo Life of competing. While she was admittedly "shocked" not to move on, "It's OK because we made an impact… and I received a lot of support and love on social media."
Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
You Can Only Say Yes to Two Dresses
Best believe all the contestants are bejeweled. But they can choose just two evening gown looks—one for the preliminary contest and one for finals—to make the whole place shimmer.
Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Contestants Are Required to Pay Their Own Way
Competing at this level can cost a pretty penny. Gankiewicz told People she relied on donations from friends and family, sponsors and her own savings, noting that the average cost of an evening gown is upwards of $12,000. While she scored her look from the Philippines for "only $6,000," she revealed, "even that was expensive for out of the country."
As for the price of beauty, she added, "You're getting your nails done, your hair done, the gowns, the outfits, the appearances. So you have to work really hard to get that sponsorship."
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Miss USA
Competing is a One and Done Situation
As Eminem once wisely rapped, you only get one shot. "Once you compete in one state and win that title, you can't compete again," Gankiewicz told People of the intense stakes. "So once you hit that Miss USA stage, this will be your last time."
That's not the case in other countries, however, noted the title holder, who was awarded the distinction after the original winner Noelia Voigt resigned in May 2024.
"That's why girls who have dual citizenship, they go to their countries, which is so nice because you can go to Miss Universe Philippines numerous times until you win that country," she explained. Gankiewicz remains hopeful that rule could change in the future: "Maybe I'll come back in!"
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