Does Miss Alabama have to be an Alabama native? Here’s what the pageant says

When Ruby Tilghman was crowned as Miss Alabama 2026, the atmosphere inside Samford University’s Wright Center was electric. The 22-year-old, a University of Alabama graduate headed to the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, earned the title on June 6, marking the start of a yearlong journey representing the state.

While Tilghman felt immense pride and excitement for the year ahead, not everyone was cheering. Following her win, a wave of social media discourse hit platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where critics questioned her eligibility. Despite her academic success and dedication to service, some commenters argued that the crown should belong only to an Alabama native.

Understanding the Residency Rules

Though Tilghman was born in Mississippi and grew up in Panama City, Florida, Nan Teninbaum—president and executive director of the Miss Alabama organization—confirmed that being born in the state is not a requirement. According to Teninbaum, the Miss America organization sets the standard: contestants must either live, work, or attend school full-time in the state they represent. Tilghman meets this criteria through her four-year tenure as a full-time student at the University of Alabama.

“They don’t have to be born in Alabama, but they have to live in Alabama full-time as a resident, or be employed in Alabama—full-time, in person—or be enrolled full-time as a student at an accredited college or university,” Teninbaum told 205focus.com. She noted that these requirements apply to all state pageants under the Miss America organization umbrella.

A Historical Precedent

Tilghman is not the first titleholder with out-of-state roots. In fact, she is the fifth in the last 44 years to win the crown while attending college in Alabama. Other past winners include:

• Caitlin Brunell, who moved frequently due to her father’s NFL career and later attended the University of Alabama.
• Jenny Jackson, a Virginia native who competed while on a track scholarship at Auburn University.
• Kym Williams, from Louisiana, who attended Birmingham-Southern College.
• Yolanda Fernandez, a Florida native who competed while attending Troy State University.

Teninbaum emphasized that this is standard practice in the pageant world, noting that Alabama natives who attend college out-of-state may similarly compete in other jurisdictions.

Tilghman’s Connection to Alabama

For Tilghman, representing Alabama is deeply personal. Through her time at the University of Alabama and her community service projects in the Black Belt, she has built a lasting bond with the state. She told 205focus.com that she made no effort to mask her background, viewing her journey as a testament to the welcoming nature of Alabamians.

“I made no effort to mask the truth of my story and why I’m here and how I got here,” Tilghman said. “It is what wrapped its arms around me when I came here and made me fall in love — first with my school and then the community that surrounded it, and then the larger regional community... and then the state as a whole.”