Miss Grand USA Mekyla Li was stripped of her title only one week after she was topped amid revelations of an alleged 2024 hit-and-run and a earlier marriage.
Li’s short-lived reign was terminated, and she or he was launched from the “Miss Grand USA Title and all related duties” for violating the pageant’s guidelines, the group introduced Wednesday
“This determination was made in accordance with contractual insurance policies outlined by the Miss Grand USA group,” Miss Grand USA officers mentioned in a assertion.
Li, 27, is dealing with two felony expenses stemming from an alleged hit-and-run in Los Angeles in November 2024, in line with courtroom information obtained by Folks Thursday.
Li was married to Danny Ray Bedwell from Aug. 9, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019 — a standing that seems to battle with Miss Grand Worldwide’s eligibility guidelines, information additionally confirmed.
Pageant guidelines state contestants “can’t be or have been married or pregnant” and “should have a clear private file with no prison historical past.”
Li was arrested on Nov. 24, 2024, and pleaded not responsible to expenses alleging she precipitated a non-serious harm and a everlasting critical harm.
Li and a person named Michael Scobey allegedly swerved into oncoming site visitors on Sundown Boulevard and collided with a automobile pushed by Anna Mercedes Aoun, in line with a civil lawsuit reported by the outlet.
Aoun alleges she suffered “catastrophic accidents,” together with “some everlasting incapacity” and misplaced future earnings.
She additionally claims Li and Scobey didn’t name emergency providers after the collision and as an alternative “fled the scene” in a rideshare automobile.
Aoun is looking for a jury trial and damages for medical bills, property harm, misplaced earnings and “varied and varied bills.”
Web page Six has reached out to Li’s rep for remark.
Li was born to Chinese language and South African dad and mom and raised “throughout three continents,” in line with her web site.
She beforehand held the titles of Miss Grand Massachusetts 2026 and Miss Asia USA 2025.
Li received Miss Grand USA on Aug. 10 and mentioned she was already waiting for competing on the Miss Grand Worldwide pageant in India later this yr.
“I really feel so excited however I’m additionally already occupied with the journey forward,” she instructed Edgar Leisure.
Miss Grand USA named Miss Grand Indiana Victoria Oluwakotanmi, who completed as the primary runner-up, as Li’s substitute on Thursday. Oluwakotanmi was named Miss Black San Antonio in March 2020 and competed within the Miss Texas USA pageant in 2023.
“Victoria now steps ahead to hold the crown, signify the USA, and start a rare new chapter with the Miss Grand USA group,” the pageant mentioned.
Someday earlier than her title was terminated, Li known as her victory “surreal” and an “unforgettable evening” on Instagram.
“Every week into this reign, and I’m nonetheless taking all of it in. However now, the dreaming turns into doing,” she wrote.
“The crown is on, the lights are ready, and I’m able to make this yr depend and see simply how grand this journey could be.”
Oluwakotanmi, who joined the army after graduating college, has not addressed her rival’s dethroning however has since shared scores of congratulatory messages on her Instagram Tales.
