From Indiana to the Universe

Noblesville woman crowned Mrs. United Universe 2026

Submitted

An Indiana woman has officially earned an international title that brings a remarkable journey from the Hoosier State to the national stage and now to the universe.

Jessica Marie Hopper-Landrum of Noblesville has been crowned Mrs. United Universe 2026. After first making history as the first woman from Indiana to win the Mrs. United USA title, Hopper-Landrum went on to represent the USA and has now been crowned the international titleholder, Mrs. United Universe 2026.

For Hopper-Landrum, the achievement is about far more than a crown.

“I’ve always believed that it’s not the crown that matters, it’s the woman wearing it,” Hopper-Landrum said. “A title gives you a platform and a microphone, but what matters is what you choose to do with them. My goal has always been to leave people better than I found them.”

Hopper-Landrum’s journey began in Indiana, where she built her career as a pageant competitor, coach, model, and advocate.

Her historic Mrs. United USA victory made her the first woman from Indiana to hold the national title, giving her the opportunity to represent the state she calls home on a national platform.

That experience eventually led her to represent the United States before earning the Mrs. United Universe title.

For Hopper-Landrum, however, the significance of the journey has never been measured solely by titles.

Hopper-Landrum’s pageant career has also taken her beyond the United States. In 2021, she was crowned Miss Ireland Supranational, representing Ireland on the international stage. In 2023, she was crowned Mrs. Ireland World, where she went on to place in the Top 15 internationally and win the International Fitness/Swimsuit Award.

These experiences have given Hopper-Landrum a unique perspective on what it means to represent not only yourself, but an entire state, country, and community on a global platform.

At the heart of Hopper-Landrum’s work is Safe Homes, an initiative she founded with a mission to help end child abuse and create safer environments for children.

Her commitment to child advocacy is one of the most meaningful parts of her platform, and she hopes her new international title will allow her to bring greater awareness to child safety and encourage more adults to recognize their role in protecting children.

“Children deserve to grow up feeling safe, protected, and loved,” Hopper-Landrum said. “If this title gives me a larger platform to have conversations that could help protect even one child, then it has a purpose far beyond the crown.”

Through Safe Homes, Hopper-Landrum hopes to help create a culture where children are protected, survivors are heard, and adults understand that preventing abuse is a responsibility shared by an entire community.

Hopper-Landrum’s belief that a title should be used for something greater than the competition also carries into her professional work.

She is the founder of JM Pageant Coaching, where she works with women and girls preparing for pageants, leadership opportunities, and life beyond the competition stage.

“I don’t want women to simply learn how to win a crown,” Hopper-Landrum said. “I want them to know who they are, understand how they show up in the world, and recognize the influence they have once the crown is on their head. For me, the crown is not the finish line. It’s an opportunity. An opportunity to serve, to connect with people, to open doors, and hopefully to leave people better than I found them.”

From an Indiana woman making history on the national stage to becoming an international titleholder, Hopper-Landrum’s journey is a reminder that the most important part of a crown isn’t the crown itself.

It’s the woman wearing it – and what she chooses to do with it.