Miss America 2026 Crowns New Winner Cassie Donegan

Miss America has crowned its new winner!

On Sunday, Sept. 7, the storied organization hosted its national pageant at Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Fla., and crowned Cassie Donegan, 27, who represented New York after winning the state pageant this past July. In addition to the crown, sash and title, she will claim a $50,000 tuition scholarship as part of her victory prize.

Between preliminary rounds and the finals, the competition took place over the course of two days this past weekend. Donegan beat over 52 women representing all 50 states, including first runner-up, Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, and second runner-up, Miss Florida Paris Richardson. Donegan was crowned by the previous winner, Miss America 2025 Abbie Stockard from Alabama.

During one of the last rounds of the pageant, when each remaining contestant is asked to answer a rapid-fire question on stage, Donegan discussed “authentic self-expressions” as they relate to “professional standards.”

“I believe that being true to yourself 100 percent is the most important thing that you can do, and if that includes your self-expression through piercings or tattoos, then 100 percent do it,” the winner explained. “I think that no one has the right to tell you what you can do with your own body. This is your vessel, and you should be able to walk around proudly in it.”

As the crowned cheered her on, Donegan continued to refer to her own send of style: “I, myself, walk around in what my siblings love to call ‘grandma chic,’ and I think that’s great,” she said with a bright smile.

Donegan is an accomplished singer, and she also took home an award for her vocal gifts after the Miss America 2026 Talent Competition.