How the 1st Mom and Married Woman to Win Miss USA Prepared for the Swimsuit Competition With Kids in Tow

The Arlington, Virginia, native not only made history as the first mother and married woman to take the crown but she was also the first person in her 30s to ever win Miss USA. (Kelley and her husband Tyler have welcomed two foster children into their home.)

In 2023, Miss USA changed a rule that previously prevented women with children from competing in the pageant and removed a previous age cap of 28.

“Knowing that history was made as the first mom, as the first wife, as the first woman in her 30s, my first thought was how amazing it is to get to do this and to represent women from all over the country, from all over the world that resonate with, ‘Hey, we’re still dreaming,’” Kelley told the outlet.

Kelley revealed that giving up social media allowed her crucial time to dedicate to fitness ahead of Miss USA’s iconic swimwear competition.

“I love abductor and adductor exercises, something that I usually do on a machine at the gym,” she added her exercise regimen. “But if I can’t make it to the gym, I’m just lying on the floor, elevating my leg and mirroring what I would’ve done on that machine.”

The Miss USA winner went on to say, “For me, leading up to a pageant, knowing there’s a fitness component, I’m going to be in a swimsuit on that stage. I want to feel good. I want to show off all this hard work.”

Per reports, Kelley’s prize package for winning Miss USA includes a $150,000 salary, a one-year lease on a Miami apartment, a Range Rover and a Westgate Vacation Home Club membership. She also received $30,000 to put toward her Miss Universe wardrobe as well as $15,000 for hair and glam.

The next step for Kelley is to represent the U.S. at Miss Universe 2026, which will be held at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 24.