Nigerian-American beauty queen Victoria Oluwakotanmi has officially assumed the title of Miss Grand USA 2026 following the dethronement of the former winner.
Oluwakotanmi, 25, originally finished as the first runner-up at the national pageant held on August 10. She was elevated to the top position on Friday after the Miss Grand USA organization terminated the reign of previous winner Mekayla Li and stripped her of the title.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, to Nigerian immigrant parents, Oluwakotanmi has built a diverse career across military service, academics, and pageantry.
Military Service: She enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve in March 2019 as a Logistics Specialist, serving with the Naval Operational Support Center in San Antonio.
Academic Background: She studied chemical engineering at Northwest Vista College while balancing her military duties.
Pageant History: She entered pageantry in 2020, winning Miss Black San Antonio before holding the Miss Grand Illinois title and competing in Miss Texas USA.
Philanthropy: In 2018, her family established the Oluwakotanmi Promise, a foundation offering scholarships and mentorship to young people in honor of her late grandmother.
Following her official appointment by the organization, Oluwakotanmi will represent the United States at the upcoming Miss Grand International competition.
