Miss Alabama 2026: Ruby Tilghman, Miss Birmingham, wins the crown

The state has a new representative. Ruby Tilghman has been crowned the new Miss Alabama, capping off an intense week of competition in Birmingham.

A Winning Performance

Tilghman, a 22-year-old from Panama City, Fla., secured the title Saturday night at Samford University’s Wright Center. Competing as Miss Birmingham, she outshined 44 other contestants to earn the crown. She now prepares to represent the state on the national stage at the Miss America competition.

Outgoing titleholder Emma Terry, the 2025 winner, performed the traditional crowning ceremony and presented Tilghman with a bouquet of roses.

From Dream to Reality

"As soon as they announced my name, I had this thought of, 'Wow! It’s real,'" Tilghman reflected backstage after her victory. "It really is such a human experience to dream about something for so long, and then to finally get there."

A graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in chemistry, Tilghman intends to advance her studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine. Though she did not grow up in Alabama, she has embraced the state during her academic tenure and her work with the Miss Alabama organization. Her community service initiative, 57 Miles: Answering the Needs of Your Community, remains a top priority during her upcoming year of service.

The Road to the Crown

Tilghman proved her consistency throughout the week, winning the evening gown preliminary on Wednesday and the talent preliminary on Friday. Her final performance featured a vocal rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables.

The pageant, which no longer features a swimsuit competition, focused on scoring in talent, evening gown, health and fitness, and interviews. Fans also participated via the People’s Choice Contest, which helped one contestant earn a spot in the semifinalist round.

2026 Finalists

The top five contestants were rounded out by:

• Julia Schumacher, Miss Tuscaloosa (first runner-up)
• Jayla Duncan, Miss East Alabama (second runner-up)
• Elaina Burt, Miss Jefferson County (third runner-up)
• Alana Price, Miss Samford University (fourth runner-up)

Scholarships and Support

The organization awarded $152,775 in total scholarship money this year. Tilghman receives $15,000 for her win, while runners-up and semifinalists also took home significant financial support for their educational journeys.

The judging panel included Yolande Dolly Fox, Ashley Halfman, Dr. Caroline Reich, Michelle Parham Rudolph, and David Weincek. The event was emceed by Abbie Stockard, the former Miss Alabama 2024 who went on to become Miss America 2025.

The evening featured performances from former titleholders and Miss Alabama’s Teen 2026, Grier Feldman.