Miss Texas Regan Hutsell is the 99th Miss America to hold the title.
By Paulette Cohn, Parade
September 7, 2026
The Miss America 2027 competition took place Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the reigning Miss America Cassie Donegan of New York crowned her successor.
After the votes were counted the new Miss America for 2027 was Miss Texas Regan Hutsell. She was awarded the crown and the $50,000 tuition scholarship.
“Miss America has always represented hope and inspiration,” said Regan. “I am incredibly honored to represent an organization that empowers women through scholarships, service, and opportunity. I look forward to encouraging individuals of all generations to walk boldly in their purpose, pursue their wildest dreams, and never give up on themselves.”
At just 18 years old, Regan began her professional dance career as a Radio City Rockette, later performing internationally with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, where she traveled throughout Europe sharing her talent on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Her distinguished dance career cultivated the discipline, resilience, and work ethic that continue to define her leadership today.
Behind the spotlight, Regan’s journey has also been one of extraordinary personal triumph. While performing professionally, she overcame an eating disorder and the pressures of perfectionism and body image that often accompany elite performance. Those experiences became the inspiration for her Community Service Initiative, Your Body Is Your Home, through which she encourages individuals to cultivate healthy self-worth, build positive inner dialogue, and understand that their value is never defined by appearance.
Regan also makes history as the first woman of color to win the Miss America crown while wearing her natural hair.
During the preliminary competition, Regan earned preliminary awards in both fitness and talent, with her talent award recognizing her jazz dance performance to “Le Jazz Hot.”
Through the Miss America Opportunity, Hutsell has earned nearly $90,000 in scholarships, helping fund her education as she pursues her Bachelor’s of Science in Health Sciences, with aspirations to become a Physical Therapist.
As Miss America, Regan will embody the organization’s mission of “Empowering Women to Lead with Purpose,” dedicating her year of service to inspiring others to embrace their purpose, lead with conviction, and create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Who were the runners-up for Miss America 2025?
First runner-up: Miss Louisiana Shelby Bordelon — $10,000 scholarship
Second runner-up: Miss Illinois Kate Dimmett — $8000 scholarship
Third runner-up: Miss California Sharlize True Trujillo — $60000 scholarship
Fourth runner-up: Miss District of Columbia: Evelyn Smith — $5000 scholarship
Who Made the Miss America 2026 Top 11
Miss California Sharlize True Trujillo
Miss District of Columbia Evelyn Smith
Miss Hawaii Carly Yoshida
Miss Utah Erika Dalton
Miss New York Madison Oh
Miss Louisiana Shelby Bordelon
Miss South Carolina Lindsay Jones
Miss Texas Regan Hutsell
Miss Iowa McKenzie Kerry
Miss Illinois Kate Dimmett
Miss Mississippi Jane Granberry
The Miss America competition was hosted by Jennifer Hale and Billy Gilman, with a judging panel consisting of Miss America 1998 Kate Shindle; 18th U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin; Founder of Portia & Scarlett Vicki Vlahos, Founding editor of InStyle Magazine Hal Rubenstein; RHONYC‘s Ubah Hassan; and Founder & Creator of Orange Theory Fitness Ellen Latham.
Read the article here: https://parade.com/news/miss-america-2027-winner-miss-new-york-regan-hutsell