Donegan caught up with PEOPLE at the 27th Annual Old Bags Luncheon in Palm Beach, opening up about how her title has changed her life
By: Tabitha Parent and Lizzie Hyman
February 19, 2026
Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan has eyes on life beyond the crown.
After being crowned back on Sept. 7, 2025, the pageant queen’s life has been turned upside down as she continues to complete her duties as Miss America.
Speaking with PEOPLE at the Center for Family Services PBC 27th Annual Old Bags Luncheon in Palm Beach, Fla., where Priscilla Presley was in attendance as the guest speaker, Donegan, 28, gushes about her journey since receiving the title.
“I was surrounded by so much love prior, but the amount of love and support and just outpouring of generosity that has come my way since becoming Miss America is something I some days have a hard time fathoming,” Donegan says, adding that she feels as though she has so much “love” in her corner.
Adding on, Donegan admits that life as Miss America hasn’t meant “big” changes necessarily, but rather an “increase in the blessings I had already.”
She also shares that being Miss America has allowed her one particular opportunity that has impacted her profoundly over the last five months.
“I get to meet so many remarkable individuals,” she says.
“They say the one time you meet Miss America is potentially the only time you’ll ever encounter her,” she says. “But I think people forget that that’s probably the only time I’ll encounter you as well. And that impacts me just as much as you may be meeting Miss America.”
She notes that her life has been changed by “the different outlooks of life” she encounters every day, noting, “It just really gives you a lot of perspective as you continue on your walk in life.”
As for what’s next, as she draws closer and closer to life after Miss America, Donegan, who performed some of Elvis Presley’s songs in his and Priscilla’s honor at the Old Bags Luncheon, has her eyes on the stage.
Donegan is, in fact, an accomplished singer, taking home an award for her vocal gifts after the Miss America 2026 Talent Competition.
Asked if she hopes Miss America will lead to a full-time singing career, Donegan says, “That’s the goal.”
“Prior to becoming Miss America, I was working full-time as an actor, so I went to school for musical theater and the, the goal is to hopefully take that career to bigger stages,” she tells PEOPLE, before adding that her goal is to “walk into as many doors that will open for me as possible and just kind of soar ahead with that.”
Donegan spoke with PEOPLE in September, following her win at the pageant. At the event, Donegan claimed a $50,000 tuition scholarship as part of her victory reward and took home another $3,000 in tuition money prizes thanks to her performance at the Miss America 2026 Talent Competition.
Following the emotional win, Donegan experienced some viral criticism, with some Internet denizens nitpicking her glam choices for nationals, including her makeup in the final round.
Donegan told 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.”
“I’m just a normal person. No, I don’t want to hear people ever say anything negative, especially about my appearance,” Donegan said at the time. “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.”
Read the article HERE: https://people.com/miss-america-cassie-donegan-teases-career-move-after-pageant-duties-exclusive-11909917
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