Miss America 2026 Crowning Event in Orlando
On Sunday night in Orlando, Abby Stockard from Alabama officially passed the crown as Miss America 2025 to her successors, Miss New York and Kathy Dodegan.
Having held the title for a year after winning the national competition the previous year, Stockard concluded her reign during the ceremony.
The evening kicked off with the announcement of eleven semi-finalists who showcased their talents through various segments including fitness, talent performances, evening gowns, and interviews.
The semi-finalists hailed from Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and Illinois.
Talent Highlights:
- Audrey Kittila from Georgia performed a Violin Medley.
- Zoe Shadey from Tennessee showcased a ballet performance.
- Maria Delisabi from Maryland discussed her work titled “Her Story.”
- Paris Richardson from Florida impressed with an acrobatic jazz dance.
- Emmatery from Alabama delivered a ballet en pointe routine.
- Nitania Fitch from Illinois sang a soulful ballad.
Alongside Donegan, Kennedy Holland of Arkansas and Jordyn Bristol of Utah received reserve talent awards just before the finals.
Miss Alabama, Emmatery, excelled further by securing two service awards, where she was recognized as a local leader in the Leadership Awards and also received the New Quality of Life Award.
Fifteen former winners of the Miss America pageant were present and honored during the event. Notably, Alabama’s Heather Whitestone, who was crowned Miss America in 1995, made history as the first and only deaf winner.
The Miss America organization announced ambitious plans to distribute $35 million annually in scholarships across the country.
A special announcement during the pageant revealed that each contestant who did not make it to the top 11 would still receive a $3,000 scholarship.
