NEED TO KNOW
- Fresh off her win at Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan spoke to PEOPLE about winning the crown at the annual pageant on Sept. 7
- Donegan — who represented the state of New York at the national competition — also responded to some snarky comments online about her choice of glam
- Coincidentally, the 28-year-old spoke about “authentic self-expressions” during the rapid-fire question portion of the pageant finals
Cassie Donegan was just crowned Miss America 2026, and she’s proud of everything that went into her win.
The 28-year-old represented New York at the national pageant after winning the state title this past July. On Sunday, Sept. 7, Donegan bested 52 other contestants from all 50 states on stage at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Fla.
Last year’s Miss America winner, Abbie Stockard from Alabama, awarded her successor with the crown, sash and title. Donegan also claimed a $50,000 tuition scholarship as part of her victory reward. Thanks to her training as an accomplished singer, Donegan also took home an award for her vocal gifts after the Miss America 2026 Talent Competition, adding another $3,000 to her tuition money prize.
Most people celebrated the pageant queen’s success, including some of her closest friends, whose emotional reactions to Donegan’s win went viral on TikTok. However, some less-than-supportive viewers were quick to nitpick her glam choices for nationals, including her makeup for the final round.
In the days after the pageant and following fanfare, Donegan tells PEOPLE that she understands negativity often meets people on higher, more exposed platforms. However, that doesn’t mean everyone in the public eye needs to internalize hateful words.
“Often you do have to just pick and choose what you allow yourself to digest,” she explains. “I think that’s something that’s been a really useful tool, really leaning into those who are lifting me up, loving me and holding me high, and choosing to focus on the positivity that’s happening in the moment.”
But even with a crown on her head, a sash over her shoulder and overwhelming support from everyone around her, Donegan acknowledges she’s only human. Winning Miss America doesn’t mean she’s suddenly immune to harsh judgment.
“I’m just a normal person. No, I don’t want to hear people ever say anything negative, especially about my appearance,” Donegan tells PEOPLE. “But I also respect that the internet is a public space and that people have the right to their opinion to be able to share that, and no one’s going to be everyone’s favorite all of the time.”
She continues, “I’m just going to do my best to love everyone and care about everyone, because at the end of the day, if even just one person has felt touched in some way or seen or loved through me as Miss America, then I’ve done my job. And that’s the most important thing.”
Miss America Organization
Donegan’s commitment to staying true to herself echoes the sentiments she shared during the final rounds of Miss America, when each remaining contestant had to answer a rapid-fire question on stage. For her portion of the Q&A, Donegan discussed “authentic self-expressions” as they relate to “professional standards.”
“I believe that being true to yourself 100 percent is the most important thing that you can do, and if that includes your self-expression through piercings or tattoos, then 100 percent do it,” the winner said on stage. “I think that no one has the right to tell you what you can do with your own body. This is your vessel, and you should be able to walk around proudly in it.”
As the crowd cheered her on, Donegan continued to refer to her own sense of style: “I, myself, walk around in what my siblings love to call ‘grandma chic,’ and I think that’s great,” she explained with a bright smile.