In a dazzling night of glamour, talent, and fierce competition, Cassie Donegan, Miss New York 2025, was crowned Miss America 2026 at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida. With 52 incredible women representing every state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, the stage was packed with brilliance and beauty.
Stealing the spotlight alongside the winner was Jacksonville’s own Paris Richardson, Miss Florida, who impressed judges and audiences alike to earn the coveted title of 2nd runner-up. Here’s everything you need to know about this rising star and what’s next after her standout performance on the national stage.
Who won Miss America 2026? See video of Cassie Donegan crowned as Miss America 2026
Cassie Donegan, 27, Miss New York 2025, was crowned Miss America 2026 on Sunday night at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida.
Who is Cassie Donegan?
Cassie Donegan, Miss New York 2025, was crowned Miss America 2026. Donegan is an actress and singer, and also serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Southern Sitter, a childcare booking company based in New York City. She holds a bachelor’s degree in musical theater from Belmont University in Nashville and also studied at AMES Christian University.
How much money does the Miss America 2026 winner receive?
Donegan, a Virginia native, will receive a $50,000 in scholarship money as Miss America and immediately start a year-long reign.
Who are the top five finalists of Miss America 2026, and how much do they win?
The runners-up received $5,000-$10,000 each in scholarship money, according to the Miss America organization. Here’s a breakdown of how much:
Paris Richardson named 2026 Rebel Preliminary Fitness Award Winner
In addition to placing second-runner-up in the Miss America 2026 pageant, awarding her $8,000 scholarship, Richardson was also recognized as one of the top three recipients of the 2026 Rebel Preliminary Fitness Award. Each winner received a $3,000 scholarship in honor of their achievement.
Rebel Preliminary Fitness Award Winners 2026:
Paris Richardson among Quality of Life Award Semi-finalists 2026
For the 2026 Miss America competition, semi-finalists for the Quality of Life Award each received a $1,500 scholarship. This award celebrates the depth of service and the lives changed along the way. Miss Florida, Paris Richardson, also placed among the 7 semi-finalists for the Quality of Life Award.
Quality of Life Award Semi-finalists 2026
Who were the top 11 semi-finalists in the Miss America 2026
How far did Miss Florida make it in Miss America 2026? What’s next for Paris Richardson?
Following her impressive performance as 2nd runner-up at Miss America 2026, Paris Richardson is showing no signs of slowing down. In an interview with the Florida Times-Union, the Jacksonville native reflected on how the Miss America platform has amplified her voice and expanded her impact.
“I’m so grateful to use the Miss America platform as a megaphone,” she shared. “Wearing the Miss Florida sash and crown, I’ve been given the opportunity to speak in front of hundreds of people regularly. Now, it’s not just ‘Hi, I’m Paris Richardson’ — it’s ‘Hi, I’m Paris Richardson, Miss Florida, can I speak with you about health equity and how we can work together to serve our community?’ It’s been a huge door-opener.”
Deeply committed to service, education, and health advocacy, Richardson’s academic journey is just as impressive as her pageant résumé. A proud Double Gator, she holds a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Florida. But she’s not stopping there — Paris now plans to pursue an MBA with a focus in finance.
What did Paris Richardson win as Miss Florida?
Thanks to over $39,000 in scholarships earned through the Miss Florida competition, Paris was able to graduate debt-free. Now, through a new partnership between the Miss Florida organization and both Florida Southern College and Florida State University–Panama City, she’s been awarded full tuition for her MBA.
“I think I’ll probably go with Florida Southern,” she said, “but I’m still deciding between the two schools.”
Whether she’s advocating for health equity or breaking barriers in education, Paris Richardson is continuing to use her platform to inspire change — and her next chapter is just beginning.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Miss New York crowned Miss America 2026, Jacksonville native wins 2nd runner-up
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
