Victoria Oluwakotanmi
Victoria Oluwakotanmi | |
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| Born | San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Education | Chemical Engineering |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
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Major competitions |
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Victoria Oluwakotanmi is a Nigerian-American beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Grand Indiana 2026. Oluwakotanmi was appointed Miss Grand USA 2026, after the winner, Mekyla Li, was disqualified.
Early life and education
Victoria Oluwakotanmi is of Yoruba Nigerian descent and grew up in San Antonio, Texas. She served in the United States Navy Reserve.[1] She graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering. She is also the co-founder of the organization Kiddos for STEM, an initiative aimed at promoting STEM education among young children.[2][3]
Pageantry
Oluwakotanmi won her first beauty pageant, Miss Black San Antonio 2020.[4] She represented Illinois and was second runner up at Miss Grand United States 2024, and won the Best in Social Media award.[5]
Oluwakotanmi was first runner up at Miss Grand United States 2026 on 10 August 2026, representing Indiana. She Best State Costume and Best in Swimsuit awards. On 21 August 2026, following the disqualification of the original winner Mekyla Li, she was given the title.[6][7] She will represent the United States at Miss Grand International 2026 in India.[8][9]
References
- ↑ "Victoria Oluwakotanmi: From Education and Military Service to the Miss Grand USA 2026 Crown". Pulse Nigeria. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "Meet Victoria Oluwakotanmi, Former US Navy Officer Crowned Miss Grand USA" [Victoria Oluwakotanmi's story from serving in the US Navy to becoming a beauty queen]. Vanguard. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ Adama Amahiri (21 August 2026). "Meet Nigerian-American Victoria Oluwakotanmi, the New Miss Grand USA" [Victoria Oluwakotanmi's Nigerian-American upbringing, US Navy service, education and journey into pageantry]. QEDNG. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "From US Navy to beauty queen: Seven things about Nigerian-American Miss Grand USA Victoria Oluwakotanmi" [Victoria Oluwakotanmi's journey from the US Navy to Miss Black San Antonio 2020 and Miss Grand USA]. Punch. 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "Competing in Miss Grand USA". News 4 San Antonio. July 16, 2024. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024.
- ↑ "Victoria Oluwakotanmi Takes Over as Miss Grand USA 2026 Following Mekayla Li's Removal from the Title". Manila Bulletin. 22 August 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "Nigerian-American Victoria Oluwakotanmi Takes Over as Miss Grand USA 2026 Following Mekayla Li's Removal from the Title". LEADERSHIP. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ Arniel C. Serato (21 August 2026). "Victoria Oluwakotanmi Officially Becomes Miss Grand USA 2026 After Mekayla Li's Dethronement". PEP.ph. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ Vincent Osuwo (21 August 2026). "Victoria Oluwakotanmi crowned Miss Grand USA 2026, replacing Mekayla Li after her title was revoked". Chronicle NG. Retrieved 22 August 2026.