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A new Miss America has been crowned.
Alabama native Abbie Stockard—who is dating Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler—claimed the title at the 2025 edition of the annual beauty pageant Jan. 5 in Orlando, Fla., becoming the fourth Miss Alabama to ascend to the role.
“This is insane,” Abbie said in a video posted on the organization’s Instagram Stories. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this. Like, holy moly. I’m so excited. I’m so grateful.”
And the 22-year-old nursing student, who was also a cheerleader during her tenure at Auburn University, had plenty of support from Walker, 23, who shared a heartfelt message on social media alongside photos with the newly-crowned pageant queen.
“Congratulations Abbie,” the NBA star wrote in an Instagram post Jan. 6, which also included a video of his ecstatic reaction to her victory. “I am so proud of you and everything you stand for. Your hard work and trust in the Lord has awarded you with this incredible opportunity! Use your light to shine on others around you!”
Abbie thanked her boyfriend for his encouragement in a comment on his post, writing, “You showing up last night meant the world to me. I’m so thankful for this life journey we get to go on together.”
Joe Marino/UPI/Shutterstock
The 97th edition of the pageant saw Abbie prevail over 51 other young hopefuls, who represented each U.S. state as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Annette Addo-Yobo, who was notably the first foreign-born Miss Texas, was named runner-up, congratulating her fellow competitor.
“So [incredibly] proud of you Abbie,” the Ghanaian native wrote in a post on her Instagram Stories. “I’m so excited to see you change the world! I’m honored to have been at your side and experience this moment with you.”
To see some celebs you may not know competed in beauty pageants, keep reading.
Charles Knight/REX USA
Halle Berry
The ageless beauty was the first runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant in 1986, then later went on to compete for Miss World, where she came in sixth.
Rex/REX USA
Oprah Winfrey
The unofficial queen of everything won the title of Miss Black Tennessee in 1972 and earned a scholarship to Tennessee State University.
AP Photo/Pat Sullivan
Ali Landry
The supermodel kick-started her career participating in dozens of beauty pageants. Before her instant fame from being the Doritos girl in a 1998 Super Bowl commercial, Landry held the title of Miss USA 1996.
AP Photo/HO
Vanessa Lachey
As Vanessa Minnillo, the starlet was crowned Miss Teen USA in 1998 before she started her modeling career and married one of our favorite boy-band hunks.
AP Photo/Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
Sarah Palin
Before becoming governor of Alaska and running for VP of the United States, Palin practiced her public speaking when she won the Miss Wasilla beauty pageant in 1984.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Heather Locklear
Looks like this California girl was popular on and off the screen; the blond beauty was crowned Senior Princess of her high school in 1979.
Harry Langdon/Getty Images
Mary Hart
Before becoming a longtime host of Entertainment Tonight, the television personality won the title of Miss South Dakota in 1970.
Splash News
Eva Longoria
This Desperate Housewife was a stunner from the start, holding the title of Miss Corpus Christi in 1998.
AP Photo/Leo Fahey
Lynda Carter
Wonder Woman was a badass before she even put on the cape! Carter won the title of Miss World America in 1972, paving the way for her career in television.
Courtesy: misssetexas.org
Demi Lovato
This little princess stole the show way before she became a Disney phenom. Demi started her pageant career at a young age, winning the Texas State Cinderella Miniature Miss contest back in 2000.
AP Photo
Sophia Loren
Ciao bella! The stunning Italian actress was only 14 when she competed in her first pageant in 1949. The classic beauty immediately caught everyone's attention earning her bit parts in local productions before she went on to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars.
YouTube
Michelle Pfeiffer
The blond bombshell showed off her California-sun-kissed locks at the 1978 Miss Orange County pageant.
AP Photo
Vanessa Williams
The triple threat got her start winning the title of Miss America in 1984, though she was later forced to step down after it came out that she had posedfor Penthouse magazine.
AP Photo/CJ
Diane Sawyer
This journalist has beauty and brains! After winning the Junior Miss beauty pageant in 1963, Sawyer used her prize to pay for her first year of college.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Raquel Welch
The 1960s-era international sex symbol was crowned Miss Fairest of the Fair at the San Diego County Fair in 1957.
REX USA
Barbara Eden
The I Dream of Jeannie star won the title of Miss San Francisco in 1951.
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