Miss Alabama 2026: 4 women take preliminary wins on Thursday in talent, evening gown

The Miss Alabama 2026 pageant is in full swing at Samford University’s Wright Center, as contestants push through an intense week of preliminary competitions ahead of Saturday's grand finale.

Thursday Preliminary Standouts

Thursday night spotlighted four women who rose to the top in the talent and evening gown segments. Alana Price, representing Miss Samford University, and Hannah Adams, Miss Shelby County, delivered top-tier performances to tie for the win in talent.

Price, 21, captivated the audience with her piano rendition of “Malaguena.” A Sylacauga native, she is a biology major at Samford University who champions the community service initiative Prevention for Prosperity. Hannah Adams, 22, showcased her versatility with a jazz ballet en pointe routine set to “Get Lost.” The Birmingham native is currently pursuing her MBA in marketing at the University of Alabama and promotes the initiative Hannah’s Hope: Finding a Cure for Pediatric Cancer.

In the evening gown competition, Hailey Adams, Miss University of Alabama, and Mikella Anderson, Miss Lake Guntersville, shared top honors. Hailey Adams, a 20-year-old public relations major at the University of Alabama, advocates for the initiative Hidden in Plain Sight: Raising Awareness for Human Trafficking. Notably, she is the sister of fellow talent winner Hannah Adams. Anderson, a 22-year-old business management major at Auburn University, represented her platform, Color for a Cure: A Beautiful End to Diabetes.

The Road to the Crown

With 45 women competing this year for the title, scholarship funds, and a path to Miss America, the competition remains fierce. Fans looking to support their favorites can participate in the People’s Choice Contest by voting online for $1 per vote, with the winner securing a spot among the top 13 finalists on Saturday.

The week’s events, running Wednesday through Friday, cover a range of categories including talent, evening wear, fitness, and on-stage interviews. Judges for this year's panel include Yolande Dolly Fox, Ashley Halfman, Dr. Caroline Reich, Michelle Parham Rudolph, and David Weincek.

Recap of Wednesday’s Results

Wednesday’s preliminary winners included Mikella Anderson and Chloe Yates, who tied for talent honors. Yates, representing Miss Gardendale Magnolia, performed a gymnastics routine. Ruby Tilghman, Miss Birmingham, claimed the top score in the evening wear competition.

Join the Action

The pageant concludes this Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m. Attendees can still purchase tickets via the official box office portal. For more information, visit the Miss Alabama website or call 205-871-6276.