Former Miss USA Audrey Eckert Falls Twice on Stage in ‘Very Chaotic’ End to Reign (Exclusive)
Former Miss USA Audrey Eckert Falls Twice on Stage in ‘Very Chaotic’ End to Reign (Exclusive)
Tabitha ParentFri, August 28, 2026 at 4:01 PM UTC
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Ian Ziering helps Miss USA 2025 Audrey Eckert onstage during the 2026 Miss USA final on Aug. 27, 2026Credit: Ivan Apfel/Getty -
While stepping on stage to crown her successor at the 2026 Miss USA title, reigning queen Audrey Eckert appeared to trip twice in her ball gown
The pageant queen naturally shrugged off the fall as she prepared to transfer her crown to the new winner
Justus Kelley of Virginia took home the win at the 2026 Miss USA pageant
While making her final walk across the Miss USA stage before she turned over her title to this year’s queen, Miss USA 2025 Audrey Eckert tripped twice on her gown.On Thursday, Aug. 27, the 2025 titleholder stepped out to say her goodbyes to the reign she’s held over the past year. However, as she made her way out to the center of the stage, Eckert appeared to trip over something, nearly losing her crown in the process. Host Ian Ziering rushed to help the pageant queen, who got back up gracefully, to raucous applause from the audience.A little later, she returned to the stage, walking carefully to avoid falling again, but she took a tumble once more. However, she didn’t seem fazed, looking over her shoulder and shrugging as she got back up to crown the new queen, Justus Kelley of Virginia, 31.
Audrey Eckert on stage during the 2026 Miss USA final on Aug. 27, 2026Credit: Ivan Apfel/Getty
In a statement to PEOPLE, Eckert says that the moment she stumbled was “overwhelming at first.” She adds that she already had fallen backstage before her final walk and, because of the quick pace of the show, didn’t have time to adjust before stepping out.“Then I fell twice during the walk. It was definitely not how I imagined saying goodbye to the Miss USA stage, especially because it was such an emotional moment for me already,” she says.“But after having 24 hours to process it, I’ve realized there’s something really humbling about it. We’re all human, and sometimes things don’t go perfectly, even on a stage where everything is supposed to be perfect. I think what matters most is how you get back up,” she continues.
She also jokes that, since her fall, she’s been told she’s now the “Jennifer Lawrence of the pageant world,” a reference to her infamous stumble on the stairs while walking up to accept her Best Actress award at the 85th Academy Awards.“If that’s what I’m going to be known for, I’ll take it!” Eckert says.
Miss USA 2025 Audrey Eckert onstage during the Miss USA 2026 final on Aug. 27, 2026 in Miami, Fla.Credit: Ivan Apfel/Getty
She adds, “Hopefully people can give me a little grace and remember that there was a real person underneath that crown who was experiencing a very emotional, very chaotic moment. I’d much rather people see the humor in it and remember that sometimes the most unexpected moments are the ones that remind us we’re human!!”
This year’s Miss USA competition was themed “75 Years of Icons,” recognizing the women who have participated in the organization and reflect the “confidence, diversity and ambition of modern America.”
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Former Miss USAs from across history — including Miss USA 1953 Myrna Hansen, 91, who is the oldest living Miss USA today — came back to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the storied pageant.
This year’s Miss USA competition was hosted by former Miss USA 1993 and Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Kenya Moore and Ziering.
Justus Kelley crowned Miss USA 2026 on Aug. 27, 2026Credit: Ivan Apfel/Getty
The pageant was judged by a host of legacy Miss USA winners, including 2016 titleholder Deshauna Barber-Echols, the first military member to win the competition. Michelle McLean, who won Miss Universe in 1992, joined the lineup of judges. Angelica Nwandu, who is the founder and CEO of the social media-based media company The Shade Room, was also present on the panel during this year’s pageant.Additionally, Miss Puerto Rico 2019, Madison Anderson, founder of Alas Activewear and Madison Anderson Beauty, joined 2026’s hosting lineup. Mia Michaels, the Emmy Award-winning choreographer who has worked with celebrities from Céline Dion to Tom Cruise, judged as well and was accompanied by Steven Grossman, a Hollywood talent manager, at the judges’ table this year.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
