Miss Grand USA Winner Loses Title Amid Ongoing Felony Hit-and-Run Charges

Miss Grand USA has revoked the title of Mekyla Li just one week after she was crowned amid ongoing felony charges stemming from a 2024 hit-and-run case in Los Angeles.

The pageant organization announced in a social media post on Aug. 19 that Li had been released from her title and all associated duties but did not directly specify the circumstances behind the removal.

“Miss Grand USA announces the termination of Mekayla Li’s reign and her release from the Miss Grand USA Title and all associated duties,” the organization wrote on Instagram. “This decision was made in accordance with contractual policies outlined by the Miss Grand USA organization.”

“We ask that all dialogue surrounding this transition remain respectful,” the post continued. “Miss Grand USA stands firmly against bullying, harassment, defamation, degrading remarks, and personal attacks of any kind.”

Li was crowned Miss Grand USA on Aug. 12 and was expected to represent the United States at the Miss Grand International competition in India later this year.

Miss Grand USA describes the national competition as the preliminary U.S. competition for the international pageant.

It remains unclear who will assume the Miss Grand USA title following Li’s ousting or represent the United States at the international competition.

According to court documents reviewed by The Epoch Times, Li is facing two felony hit-and-run charges related to a November 2024 crash.

The charges allege a hit-and-run resulting in non-serious injury and a hit-and-run resulting in permanent serious injury. Li pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in March 2025.

The criminal case stems from a collision on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Anna Mercedes Aoun, who was involved in the accident, filed a civil lawsuit against Li and co-defendant Michael Scobey.

The suit claims that a vehicle carrying Li and Scobey crossed into oncoming traffic and struck Aoun’s vehicle. Aoun says she suffered severe injuries and a lasting disability as a result.

Further, the civil complaint alleges that the defendants left the scene without contacting emergency services. Those allegations remain part of ongoing legal proceedings and have not been established as facts in a criminal conviction.

The beauty pageant didn’t specify whether the revocation of Li’s title was related to her ongoing felony charges.

Miss Grand USA’s eligibility standards require contestants to have a clean personal record with no criminal history. Organization rules also prohibit contestants from having been previously married.

The Epoch Times reached out to representatives for Mekyla Li for further comment on the matter, but did not hear back by the time of publication.

Prior to winning the national title, Li held pageant titles including Miss Grand Massachusetts 2026 and Miss Asia USA 2025.