Abbie Stockard from Alabama Wins Miss America Title, Stirring Controversy Among Viewers

Abbie Stockard, a cheerleader representing Miss Alabama, emerged as the victorious Miss America 2025, triumphing over 10 other finalists to secure the coveted $50,000 tuition scholarship prize.

Held at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, the 97th annual pageant saw the crowning moment where Stockard received the honor from the 2024 winner, Madison Marsh, following a series of fiercely contested events.

Unfortunately, the competition was somewhat marred by the decision to switch from television broadcast on networks like NBC, ABC, and Peacock to live streaming on YouTube and PageantVision.com.

Viewers could watch preliminary competitions with a $99.99 week-long streaming pass or by buying the episodes individually. The final was streamed for free, and the YouTube stream ran a day after the program aired. 

Fans expressed their fury at the move online, going so far as to say the show had been ‘destroyed’.

One aggrieved viewer took to social media to say: ‘Looked like it had been filmed with an iPhone. Just awful production.’

Another bashed the decision to move online, writing: ‘Low end production!! Miss America used to be a nationally televised, prestigious event!!’

Others rallied against what they said was ‘awkward’ and ‘cringeworthy’ presenting, as a major gaffe in the presentation saw calls for an ‘editor’.

Jade McEwen wrote on Facebook: ‘Growing up we always watched on live television. Please consider bringing it back.’ 

Holly Bearden added: ‘Almost everyone has Netflix..might be worth looking into televising it live with them next year.’ 

Stockard, an Auburn University nursing student and cheerleader, was crowned on Sunday, concluding an intense campaign since being named Miss Alabama last June.

She overcame hopefuls from all US states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, to take home the grand prize last night.

Fifty-two competitors had been whittled down to just 11 based on the results of preliminary events earlier in the week.

The finalists had one last opportunity to impress the judges with choreographed dance routines, as well as various other rounds and interview segments on Sunday.

Stockard danced to Lauren Daigle’s 2018 hit ‘You Say’. 

Interviews saw finalists debate randomly assigned topics including censorship, housing and unemployment.

The censorship segment was briefly overshadowed by an apparent typo displayed on screens surrounding the stage.

Twitter/X user Tom Jackson shared a photo of the offending mistake, writing ‘Miss America needs editors.’ 

Quizzed on unemployment, Stockard spoke about the labor force participation of people in the 25-54-year-old age bracket since Covid.

She urged fresh ways to encourage people into work, alluding to vocational training in ‘new skills’ to ‘learn to grow in our current workforce and industries we have today’.

Stockard revealed that she hopes to earn an advanced degree and specialize in pediatrics, helping children and young people.

While studying to become a nurse, Stockard is also a member of the Tiger Paws Dance Team, a nationally ranked competition team.

‘This is insane,’ she said after finally being crowned champion. ‘I don’t know what I did to deserve this.’

Stockard, 22, said that she was inspired by her mom, who juggled several jobs, and her friend, who has cystic fibrosis, and revealed her dream of earning a PhD in anesthesia and specializing in pediatrics. 

Governor Kay Ivey took to social media to congratulate the young star.

‘Our very own Miss Alabama, Abbie Stockard, has won the title of Miss America!’ she wrote.

‘I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Abbie, and I know firsthand what an outstanding young woman she is. She is incredibly deserving of this honor. Congratulations, Abbie! #alpolitics

But as Stockard celebrated her historic win, viewers were sadly pre-occupied with what they deemed the waning production value of the show itself.

‘The constant decline of Miss America over years [sic] should be studied because what are they doing to this?’ wrote Twitter/X user Samantha Magalski.

‘Miss America used to be a prime TV event,’ one user chimed in. ‘Now I have to search through YouTube to find it.’

‘Congrats Miss Alabama for winning Miss America,’ another user said. ‘But I cannot keep repeating how this organization is broken and needs an overhaul.

‘The significant reduction in production quality does a disservice to these great women.’

Others criticized the organization. User Andy Eagle wrote: ‘Who hired these emcees at Miss America 2025?!?

‘It’s painfully awkward watching them.’

Carter Christensen added: ‘The Miss America hosts this year are absolutely cringeworthy, and it’s incredibly uncomfortable to watch. The production quality too, my God.’