Miss Alabama cheerleader Abbie Stockard has been crowned the winner of Miss America 2025, beating out 10 other finalists for the $50,000 tuition prize.
The 97th annual pageant took place this weekend at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando and ended with the 2024 winner, Madison Marsh, crowning Stockard after a series of hard-fought events.
Stockard, 22, said she was inspired by her mother, who juggled several jobs, and her friend, who has cystic fibrosis, and revealed her dream to get a PhD in anesthesia and specialize in paediatrics.
The competition was unfortunately overshadowed by the decision to stream on YouTube, having previously been shown on NBC, ABC and Peacock.
Fans expressed their anger online about the move, even going so far as to say the show had been “destroyed.”
An aggrieved viewer took to social media participation: ‘It looked like it was filmed with an iPhone. Just terrible production.”
Another dismissed the decision to go online, writing: ‘Low end production!! Miss America used to be a prestigious event on national television!!”
Others pushed back against what they called a “clumsy” and “cringe-inducing” presentation, as a major blunder in the presentation prompted calls for an “editor.”
Abbie Stockard, from Alabama, will be crowned Miss America 2025 on Sunday in Orlando
While Stockard celebrated her historic win, viewers were unfortunately preoccupied with what they perceived as the declining production value of the show itself.
Stockard is a member of the Tiger Paws Dance Team, a nationally ranked competitive team
Stockard, a nursing student and cheerleader at Auburn University, was crowned Sunday, capping an intense campaign since he was named Miss Alabama last June.
She bested hopefuls from every US state, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico, to take home the top prize last night.
Fifty-two participants were whittled down to just eleven based on the results of preliminary events earlier in the week.
The finalists had one last chance to impress the judges on Sunday with choreographed dance routines, as well as several other rounds and interview segments.
Stockard danced to Lauren Daigle’s 2018 hit “You Say.”
During interviews, the finalists debated randomly assigned topics including censorship, housing and unemployment.
The censorship segment was briefly overshadowed by an apparent typo displayed on the screens surrounding the stage.
Twitter/X user Tom Jackson shared a photo of the offensive error and wrote, “Miss America needs editors.”
When asked about unemployment, Stockard spoke about the employment rate of people aged 25 to 54 since Covid.
She urged new ways to get people to work, referring to vocational training in “new skills” to “learn how to grow in our current workforce and industries that we have today.”
Madison Marsh crowns an emotional Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, as Miss America 2025 at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando on January 5
“This is crazy,” Stockard said after finally being crowned champion. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this.”
Stockard revealed that she hopes to obtain an advanced degree and specialize in pediatrics, helping children and young people.
While studying to become a nurse, Stockard is also a member of the Tiger Paws Dance Team, a nationally ranked competitive team.
“This is crazy,” she said after finally being crowned champion. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this.”
Governor Kay Ivey congratulated the young star via social media.
“Our very own Miss Alabama, Abbie Stockard, has won the title of Miss America!” she wrote.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Abbie, and I know firsthand what an outstanding young woman she is. She is incredibly deserving of this honor. Congratulations, Abbie! #alpolitical
But while Stockard celebrated her historic victory, viewers were unfortunately preoccupied with what they perceived as the declining production value of the show itself.
“The constant decline of Miss America over the years (sic) should be studied because what are they doing about it?” wrote Twitter/X user Samantha Magalski.
Stockard revealed that she hopes to obtain an advanced degree and specialize in pediatrics, helping children and young people
“Miss America used to be a major TV event,” said one user. “Now I have to search through YouTube to find it.”
“Congratulations Miss Alabama on winning Miss America,” another user said. “But I can’t keep repeating that this organization is broken and needs an overhaul.
“The significant reduction in production quality is a disservice to these wonderful women.”
Others criticized the organization. User Andy Eagle wrote: ‘Who hired these presenters at Miss America 2025?!?
“It’s painfully uncomfortable to watch them.”
Carter Christensen added, “The presenters of Miss America this year are absolutely terrible, and it’s incredibly uncomfortable to watch. The production quality too, my God.’