Beauty queen stripped of title just days after her victory over hit-and-run charges and breaking contest rules

A BEAUTY queen has been stripped of her title a week after her victory over an alleged hit-and-run in Los Angeles – and a previous marriage. Mekyla Li, 27, was crowned Miss Grand USA in a pompous finals ceremony in Las Vegas, but her reign was short-lived after the pageant accused her of violating its rules. Mekyla Li with her crown just over a week ago during the Las Vegas ceremony Credit: themekylali/Instagram Li pictured at the Miss Grand USA final after winning the crown Credit: themekylali/Instagram “This decision was made in accordance with contractual policies outlined by the Miss Grand USA organisation,” read a statement on Instagram. “We ask that all dialogue surrounding this transition remain respectful. Miss Grand USA stands firmly against bullying, harassment, defamation, degrading remarks and personal attacks of any kind.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Li is facing two felony charges over an alleged hit-and-run in November 2024, PEOPLE reported. She was arrested, but pleaded not guilty to causing a non-serious injury and a permanent serious injury. Read more on beauty pageant Li was known as Miss Grand Massachusetts 2026 and Miss Asia USA 2025 Credit: Instagram/themekylali A glam pic she shared on Instagram Credit: Instagram/themekylali Claimant Anna Mercedes Aoun accused Li and a second person in the car, Michael Scobey, of swerving into oncoming traffic on Sunset Boulevard and crashing into her vehicle. Aoun alleges that she suffered “catastrophic injuries,” including “some permanent disability” and lost future income. After the collision, she claimed that Li and Scobey fled the scene instead of calling emergency services. In addition to her legal proceedings, Li was also married for about a year and a half, with her divorce taking place in December 2019. Most read in The Sun Li is alleged to be facing two felony charges Credit: themekylali/Instagram Li is yet to comment on the allegations Credit: themekylali/Instagram Miss Grand International’s eligibility criteria states that all contestants “cannot be or have been married or pregnant.” A day before her title was withdrawn, Li took to social media to share a picture of her wearing her stunning crown and gown, saying that she was “still on cloud nine.” She wrote in the caption: “A week ago, I stood on the stage surrounded by incredible women from across the United States of America , never fully knowing just how much that moment would change everything. “What once lived as a dream in my heart is now something I get to wake up and call reality, and somehow, I’m still on cloud nine.” “A week into this reign, and I’m still taking it all in. But now, the dreaming becomes doing,” she ended her heartfelt post. First runner-up Nigerian-American beauty queen, Victoria Oluwakotanmi, has now replaced Li. “Victoria now steps forward to carry the crown, represent the United States, and begin an extraordinary new chapter with the Miss Grand USA organisation,” the pageant said.