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The singer and actress, 28, was crowned in Orlando on Sept. 7, 2025 after winning at the state level in New York

The singer and actress, 28, was crowned in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 7, 2025, several months after she won her qualifying state pageant in New York

Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Pageants may be beauty and makeup to you; but to Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan, it’s not. It’s about a statement, a message to all. Donegan is visiting Springfield this weekend.

Queen Latifah, Idina Menzel, Eve, Kirk Franklin, Olga Tañón, and DJ Jazzy Jeff will perform at the 2026 Wawa Welcome America events leading up to the big July 4th concert which will celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.

Share: Twitter Facebook Pinterest ### About Miss AmericaMiss America’s mission is Empowering Women to Lead with Purpose as the nation’s premier empowerment platform for young women. Founded in 1921, the iconic Miss America program is also America’s largest provider of tuition-only scholarship awards for women, distributing all scholarships through the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation Inc.

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