Introducing the Hosts and Judges of Miss Teen and Miss USA 2026
The moment to crown the next Miss Teen USA and Miss USA 2026 is almost here.
Us can exclusively reveal the hosts and judges for this year’s beauty contests, set to occur at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami-Dade County later this week.
On the Miss USA stage, actor Ian Ziering and Miss USA 1993 Kenya Moore will take on hosting duties, while Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Sean Michael Rae will lead the Miss Teen USA event.
Among the judges is The Real Housewives of Rhode Island star Kelsey Swanson, who will assist in crowning the Miss Teen USA winner.
“Being selected as a judge is an immense honor for me. My time as Miss USA shaped my life, and I hold numerous cherished memories from that experience,” Kelsey, 32, expressed exclusively to Us on Monday, August 24. “Coming back all these years later for this role during the significant 75th diamond anniversary is truly an extraordinary full-circle moment.”
The Bravo star, who previously held the title of Miss Rhode Island USA 2017, emphasized the weight of the judging responsibility.
“It’s surreal to return to a pivotal experience that once meant so much to me, observing it from a completely new perspective,” she stated. “After my time at Miss USA, I dedicated years to mentoring and coaching young women who aspired to follow a pageant path, so this world continues to mean a great deal to me. Being invited back to serve as a judge is significant, and I’m deeply thankful for the opportunity.”
Coming alongside her at the judges’ table is social media influencer and former Miss Ohio Teen USA 2022 Kylan Darnell.
“Being invited to judge Miss Teen USA has truly come full circle for me,” she shared exclusively with Us. “As a former Miss Ohio Teen USA, I understand how special this occasion is, and I’m thrilled to be endorsing and celebrating this next wave of remarkable young women.”
The judges’ panel will also feature Miss Teen USA alumni Ki’ilani Arruda and Kaliegh Garris, along with Boss Babe Models founder Marie P. Anderson and celebrity designer Bessie Besana.
Over the years, several former beauty queens have sadly passed away after their reigns. Kseniya Alexandrova, who was crowned Miss Universe Russia in 2017, tragically lost her life in a car accident at 30. “It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of our colleague and friend, model Ksenia Alexandrova’s passing last night,” said her representatives.
On the Miss USA panel, you’ll find The Shade Room founder Angelica Nwandu, Miss USA 2016 DeShauna Barber-Echols, Michelle McLean, Madison Anderson, So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Mia Michaels, and celebrity talent manager Steven Grossman, all set to help determine the winner.
The Miss USA finals are set to occur on Thursday, August 27, at 8 p.m. ET, with the Miss Teen USA pageant taking place the day before.
Though initially planned for a live broadcast on The CW Network, fans can now watch the pageant streaming on Queen Beauty Network.
