Cassie Donegan crowned Miss America 2026: How she wowed viewers with her captivating act to win $50,000 prize

MISS New York Cassie Donegan has been crowned Miss America 2026 after her show-stopping performance at the pageant finals. Cassie Donegan succeeded Miss America 2025, Alabama's Abbie Stockard, who was on stage to crown Donegan on Sunday, September 7.

Donegan, 28, is walking away from Sunday's victory with the reigning title, the sparkling crown, and a $50,000 scholarship, reports The US Sun. Cassie Donegan was crowned Miss America 2026 after two inspiring nights of preliminary competition featuring 52 delegates representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. She becomes the 98th woman to hold the iconic Miss America title in the brand's 104-year history, and the 8th Miss New York to earn the crown, according to PR News Wire.

Cassie has earned more than $70,000 in scholarships through the Miss America program, funding her undergraduate education and supporting her pursuit of a master's degree. Donegan is the 98th Miss America in 104 years of the organization. She is the eighth Miss New York to win the crown.

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Cassie Donegan crowned as Miss America

A native of Virginia, Cassie was raised in a non-traditional household and found refuge in the arts. A musical theater star, she sang A Darker Shade of Blue from the musical Some Like It Hot in the talent portion of the competition at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida.

The stunning vocal performance won her a talent award of a $3,000 scholarship during the two nights of preliminary competition. Donegan will claim her massive tuition scholarship of more than $50,000.

This brings the grand total of scholarships earned through the program to $70,000, Miss America HQ confirmed to The U.S. Sun. The money has funded her undergraduate education at Belmont University in Nashville. It will also support her as she pursues her master's degree.

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Donegan is an accomplished singer, and she also took home an award for her vocal gifts after the Miss America 2026 Talent Competition. "Miss America has always been a powerful springboard for ambitious women to turn their dreams into reality," Donegan shared after her win.

"I am honored to represent an organization that provides scholarships, resources, and a platform for women to lead—and I'm deeply grateful for the chance to bring that mission to life."

More about Cassie Donegan

A passionate advocate for arts education, Cassie Donegan has directed youth theater productions, designed a K–12 masterclass curriculum, and established three scholarship funds. She has also appeared on stages nationwide, performing in musicals such as Grease, Waitress, and Legally Blonde, according to her website.

Cassie also serves as Chief Operations Officer of Southern Sitter LLC, a women-led childcare company she helped expand into a multi-faceted, multi-state business. Cassie is also a member of Actor's Equity Association, having built a professional performance career on stages across the nation, sharing the spotlight with some of the industry's most celebrated talents.

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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."

During one of the last rounds of the pageant, Donegan referred to her own sense of style as "grandma chic."

"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," she said.

"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."