The Miss Alabama 2026 pageant is underway, and the preliminary round on Wednesday night showcased the talent and evening wear of 45 contestants vying for the state title. The event, held at Samford University's Wright Center in Birmingham, featured a range of performances and activities, including production numbers with Miss Alabama 2025, country singer Charity Bowden, and Miss Alabama 2012, Anna Laura Strider. The evening also included the talent and evening wear competitions, with Mikella Anderson and Chloe Yates tying for the top score in the talent competition, and Ruby Tilghman earning the top score in the evening wear competition. The judges for this year's pageant are Yolande Dolly Fox, Ashley Halfman, Dr. Caroline Reich, Michelle Parham Rudolph, and David Weincek. The preliminary events, held Wednesday through Friday, will determine the semifinalists who will compete on Saturday in the pageant finale. The winner will be crowned by Miss Alabama 2025, Emma Terry, and will receive scholarship money and the opportunity to move on to the Miss America pageant. The public can also vote for their favorite contestants in the People's Choice Contest, with each vote costing $1. The contestant with the most votes will earn a spot among the top 13 finalists on Saturday. The Miss Alabama 2026 competition is set for June 3-6, with preliminary competitions held Wednesday through Friday at 7 p.m. and the finals scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase, with single tickets ranging from $53.75 to $80.13 and season ticket packages available for all four nights. This year's pageant promises to be a showcase of talent, beauty, and community service, with the contestants demonstrating their dedication to making a positive impact in their communities. The Miss Alabama 2026 pageant is a testament to the power of women's leadership and the importance of community engagement, and I am excited to see who will be crowned the new Miss Alabama.
