Mekyla Li’s reign as Miss Grand USA was abruptly cut short on 19 August, merely a week after she was crowned the titleholder. The Miss Grand USA organisation released a statement confirming that Li had been stripped of her crown and all related responsibilities, stating that the decision aligned with the contractual policies of the organisation.
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Recent documents obtained by PEOPLE suggest that Li is currently embroiled in both criminal and civil legal proceedings stemming from an alleged hit-and-run incident that reportedly occurred in November 2024. The nature of these ongoing cases appears to conflict with the eligibility requirements set forth by the Miss Grand International pageant, raising questions about her suitability for the title.
Court records indicate that Li faces two felony charges related to the hit-and-run, which include causing non-serious and permanent serious injury. Following her arrest on 24 November 2024, Li entered a not guilty plea during her arraignment on 19 March. These serious allegations have sparked scrutiny over her recent victory in the pageant.
In addition to the criminal charges, Li has also been named a defendant in a civil lawsuit alongside an individual identified as Michael Scobey. This civil complaint accuses them of negligence, claiming that their vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle driven by Anna Mercedes Aoun. According to Aoun, she suffered “catastrophic injuries” from the accident, along with significant loss of future income due to her condition.
The civil suit alleges that after the collision occurred on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, neither Li nor Scobey contacted emergency services and instead left the scene in a rideshare vehicle. Such actions, if proven true, could further tarnish Li’s public image and have legal ramifications.
Further complicating her eligibility for the Miss Grand title, divorce records reveal that Li was previously married from 9 August 2018 until 31 December 2019. The rules of the Miss Grand International pageant explicitly state that contestants cannot be or have ever been married or pregnant, putting Li’s candidacy into question.
Prior to her brief reign, Li had been on the pageant circuit, having previously held titles such as Miss Grand Massachusetts 2026 and Miss Asia USA 2025. Her background is diverse; born to parents of Chinese and South African descent, she spent her formative years across three different continents, adding a rich multicultural perspective to her public persona.
In the lead-up to her crowning, Li expressed enthusiasm about her role and the upcoming challenges. Following her win on 12 August, she described her emotions as a mix of excitement and determination, stating she was ready to take the stage at Miss Grand International in India later in the year. Just a day prior to losing her title, she shared her feelings about being crowned, calling it a “surreal” experience and expressing her eagerness to make the most of the opportunities ahead.
As the fallout from this situation continues, it remains unclear how Li plans to address the serious legal issues she faces, and whether she will be able to rebuild her reputation after this swift and dramatic turn of events. The Miss Grand USA organisation has not publicly elaborated on the details surrounding their decision to rescind her title, and none of the parties involved have yet responded to requests for commentary.
As this story develops, it highlights the significant pressures and responsibilities linked to beauty pageants and the potential consequences of personal actions on public roles. The outcome of Li’s legal trials may not only impact her future in pageantry but also serve as a cautionary tale about the scrutiny that comes with such high-profile titles.