Miss Alabama 2026: Here are Wednesday’s winners for talent, evening gown

The race to crown Miss Alabama 2026 is officially underway. The state pageant kicked off its preliminary rounds Wednesday night in Birmingham, with three talented contestants stepping into the spotlight to claim early honors.

Talent and Evening Wear Standouts

In a thrilling result for the talent competition, Mikella Anderson (Miss Lake Guntersville) and Chloe Yates (Miss Gardendale Magnolia) tied for the top score of the night.

Anderson, a 22-year-old Auburn University business management student from Prattville, wowed the crowd with a contemporary dance routine en pointe to “God Bless America.” Her service platform is focused on her initiative, Color for a Cure: A Beautiful End to Diabetes. Yates, also 22, showcased her athleticism with a gymnastics routine set to “Welcome to the Moulin Rouge.” The Louisville, Kentucky native is currently studying interior design at the University of Alabama and advocates for the Special Olympics through her platform, Deleting the “Dis” in Disabled.

Ruby Tilghman, representing Miss Birmingham, claimed the top score in the evening wear competition. The 22-year-old University of Alabama chemistry student—who hails from Panama City, Florida—is competing with her service initiative, 57 Miles: Answering the Needs of Your Community.

The Road to the Crown

There are 45 women currently competing for the prestigious state title, scholarship funds, and a shot at the Miss America stage. Read more: Meet 45 women competing for the crown.

The preliminary events continue through Friday at Samford University’s Wright Center, covering talent, evening wear, health and fitness, and on-stage interviews. These scores are crucial in determining which contestants will advance to the Saturday finale, where the reigning Miss Alabama 2025, Emma Terry, will crown her successor.

Fans can also participate via the People’s Choice Contest. By voting online for $1 per vote, the public can help their favorite contestant secure a spot among the top 13 finalists.

Event Highlights and Logistics

Wednesday’s production was hosted by 2016 titleholder Hayley Barber DeShazo and featured performances by Miss Alabama’s Teen 2026 Grier Feldman, country singer Charity Bowden, and former winner Anna Laura Strider. The panel of judges features Yolande Dolly Fox, Ashley Halfman, Dr. Caroline Reich, Michelle Parham Rudolph, and David Weincek.

The competition continues at Samford University’s Wright Center (872 Montague Drive) with preliminaries nightly at 7 p.m. through Friday. The grand finale is set for Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m. For ticket information or full event details, visit the Miss Alabama website, purchase tickets online, or call 205-871-6276.