Mekyla Li Stripped of Miss Grand USA Title Over Scandal

Mekyla Li, crowned Miss Grand USA on August 10, 2024, has been stripped of her title just a week later due to allegations involving a hit-and-run incident and a previous marriage. The Miss Grand USA organization announced her termination, stating she violated pageant rules that require contestants to have a clean personal record and not to have been married or pregnant.

Li, 27, faces two felony charges from an alleged hit-and-run in Los Angeles on November 24, 2024, where she and Michael Scobey reportedly collided with a vehicle driven by Anna Mercedes Aoun, causing her catastrophic injuries. Aoun is seeking damages for medical expenses and lost earnings.

Li was previously married to Danny Ray Bedwell from August 9, 2018, to December 31, 2019. Following her removal, Miss Grand USA appointed Victoria Oluwakotanmi, the first runner-up, as her replacement to represent the United States at the upcoming Miss Grand International pageant in India.