Miss Alabama 2026: Here are Friday’s preliminary winners in talent, evening gown
Elaina Burt, Caroline Coleman and Ruby Tilghman tied for the top score in the talent preliminary on Friday. Madison Belk won the evening gown preliminary.
Ethan Parker 
The excitement is palpable at the Miss Alabama pageant as the field narrows. With three intense nights of preliminaries now in the books, the stage is set for a high-stakes finale this Saturday.
Friday's Standouts
Friday night highlighted four exceptional contestants who took home top honors in talent and evening gown preliminaries. The talent competition resulted in a three-way tie at the top, featuring Elaina Burt (Miss Jefferson County), Caroline Coleman (Miss Tennessee Valley), and Ruby Tilghman (Miss Birmingham).
Burt, 20, a Hoover native and University of Alabama student, impressed with a classical ballet routine en pointe to “Oklahoma Medley.” Coleman, 23, from Muscle Shoals, delivered a powerful operatic aria from “Madame Butterfly,” while Tilghman, 22, captivated the audience with a performance of “I Dreamed A Dream.”
In the evening gown category, Madison Belk, Miss Jubilee, claimed the top score. The 22-year-old Loxley native and University of Mississippi graduate continues to distinguish herself as the competition moves toward the final round.
The Road to the Crown
A total of 45 women are competing this year for the title, scholarship funds, and a path to the Miss America stage. These contestants have spent the week at Samford University’s Wright Center showcasing their talents, fitness, and interview skills, all while advocating for their unique community service initiatives.
The final field of contestants will be determined by these preliminary performances, leading up to the crowning of the new winner by outgoing titleholder Emma Terry.
Get Involved
Fans can still influence the results through the People’s Choice Contest. By voting online—where each vote costs $1—the public can help push their favorite contestant into the top 13 finalists for Saturday’s finale.
For those looking to attend in person, tickets remain available here. For additional details, visit the Miss Alabama website or contact them at 205-871-6276.
