Miss Alabama USA

For the state pageant affiliated with Miss America, see Miss Alabama.

Miss Alabama USA
Formation1952
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersBirmingham
Location
MembershipMiss USA
Official language
English
Key people
Janice McDonald
Paula Miles
WebsiteOfficial website

Miss Alabama USA, previously known as Miss Alabama Universe,[1] is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state of Alabama in the Miss USA pageant, and the name of the title held by its winner. The pageant is directed by RPM Productions.

Alabama's most successful placement was in 1967, when Sylvia Hitchcock was crowned Miss USA. She later went on to be crowned Miss Universe 1967 as well. Alabama's most recent placement was in 2023, when Sophie Burzynski placed Top 20.

The current Miss Alabama USA is Kennedy Whisenant of Birmingham, who was crowned on September 20, 2025 at Bologna Performing Arts Center in Cleveland. Whisenant represented Alabama at Miss USA 2025.

Results summary

Placements in Miss USA

  • Miss USA: Sylvia Hitchcock (Miss Universe 1967)[2]
  • 1st Runners-Up: Pamela Flowers (1975), Candace Brown (1992), Michelle Arnette (2003), Mary-Margaret McCord (2013)
  • 2nd Runners-Up: Doris Edwards (1953), Judith Carlson (1958), Margaret Gordon (1960), Jina Mitchell (2000), Madeline Mitchell (2011)
  • 3rd Runner-Up: Pamela Rigas (1980)
  • 4th Runner-Up: Suellen Robinson (1961), Kelly Hutchinson (2020)
  • Top 5: Peyton Brown (2016)
  • Top 10/11/12: JoAnne Henderson (1981), Candy Carley (1991), Autumn Smith (1997), Tara Tucker (2002), Tara Darby (2004), Haleigh Stidham (2006), Audrey Moore (2010), Katherine Webb (2012), Madison Guthrie (2015), Kennedy Whisenant (2025)
  • Top 15/20: Pat Sullivan (1959), Dinah "Diana" Armstrong (1963), Pamela Jean Borgfeldt (1964), Leigh Sanford (1965), Claudia Robinson (1968), Hitsy Parnell (1969), Jesica Ahlberg (2014), Sophie Burzynski (2023)

Alabama has a record of 32 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

  • Miss Congeniality: Peyton Brown (2016)
  • Miss Photogenic: Pamela Flowers (1975), Rebecca Moore (2007), Audrey Moore (2010)

Titleholders

Color key
  •   Winner
  •   Runner-up
  •   Semi-finalist
Year Name Hometown Age[a] Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes
2025 Kennedy Whisenant Birmingham 24 Miss North Central Top 10
2024 Diane Westhoven[3] Vestavia 21 Miss Southern Plains
2023 Sophie Burzynski[4] Auburn 21 Miss Auburn-Opelika Top 20
2022 Katelyn Vinson[5] Dothan 21 Miss Dothan
2021 Alexandria Flanigan[6] Cullman 24 Miss Cullman
2020 Kelly Hutchinson[7] Auburn 22 Miss Auburn-Opelika 4th runner-up
2019 Hannah McMurphy[9] Tuscaloosa 20 Miss Indian Hills
2018 Hannah Brown[10] Northport 23 Miss West Alabama
2017 Baylee Smith[11] Tuscaloosa 19 Miss Pike County
2016 Peyton Brown[12] Eufaula 21 Miss Eufaula Top 5 Miss Congeniality
2015 Madison Guthrie[14] Hoover 20 Miss Hoover Top 11
2014 Jesica Ahlberg[15] Birmingham 23 Miss Central Alabama Top 20
2013 Mary-Margaret McCord[16] Gadsden 23 Miss Gadsden 1st runner-up
2012 Katherine Elizabeth Webb[17] Phenix City 22 Miss East Alabama Top 10
2011 Madeline Grace Mitchell[18] Russellville 21 Miss Tuscaloosa 2nd runner-up
2010 Audrey Moore[19] Hoover 20 Top 10 Miss Photogenic[20]
2009 Rachel Philippona[21] Dothan 19
2008 Keisha Walding[22] Dothan 24
2007 Rebecca Moore Vestavia Hills 19 Miss Photogenic
2006 Haleigh Stidham Birmingham 23 Top 10
2005 Jessica Tinney Birmingham 21
2004 Tara Darby Birmingham 22 Top 10
2003 Michelle Arnette Dothan 25 1st runner-up
2002 Tara Tucker Birmingham 23 Top 12
2001 Laura Hoffman Birmingham 20
2000 Jina Mitchell Trussville 22 2nd runner-up
1999 Doree Walker Gardendale 24
1998 Paige Brooks Mobile 26
1997 Autumn Smith[23] Chelsea 22 Top 10
1996 Benita Brooks[24] Huntsville 25
1995 Anna Mingus Enterprise -
1994 Malaea Nelms[25] Alexandria -
1993 Toni Johnson Montgomery 22
1992 Candace Michelle Brown Auburn 23 1st runner-up[26]
1991 Candy Carley Mobile 25 Top 11
1990 Natalie Moore Hoover
1989 Sheri Mooney Pelham 20
1988 Rhonda Mooney[27] Pelham 21
1987 Rhonda Leigh Garrett[28] Birmingham 21
1986 Heather Howard[29] Huntsville 20
1985 Allison Sawyer Birmingham -
1984 Kelly Flowers Hueytown 20
1983 Terri Lane Birmingham 20
1982 Lisa Wheeler[30] Birmingham 19
1981 JoAnne Henderson[31] Tuscaloosa 21 Top 12
1980 Pamela Helena Rigas Troy 19 3rd runner-up[32]
1979 Rose Burch[34] Mobile 20
1978 Eva Jo Stancil[35] Birmingham 22
1977 Cheryl Burgess[1] Alexandria 18
1976 Kyle Ellis[36] Decatur 22
1975 Pamela Renee Flowers Headland 19 1st runner-up Miss Photogenic[37]
1974 Iva Wyna Lavis Birmingham 19
1973 Diane Fouilhe Enterprise 19
1972 Elaine Barnhill[38] Robertsdale 21
1971 Renee Smith[39] Mobile 18
1970 Kathleen "Kathy" Bryant[40] Bay Minette 19
1969 Hitsy Parnell[41] Thomasville 20 Top 15
1968 Claudia Robinson Mobile 18 Top 15 Top 15 Best in Swimsuit[42]
1967 Sylvia Louise Hitchcock[43] Tuscaloosa 21 Miss USA 1967
1966 Susan Scott[44] Clanton 19
1965 Leigh Stanford Montgomery 18 Top 15
1964 Pamela Jean Borgfeldt[45] Anniston[45] 21 Top 15
1963 Dinah "Diana" Irene Armstrong[46] Montgomery 19 Top 15[47]
1962 Jerolyn Ridgeway[48] Fort Payne 20
1961 Suellen Robinson[49] Fairfax 19 4th runner-up
1960 Margaret Gordon Homewood 21 2nd runner-up
1959 Pat Sullivan[50] Birmingham 21 Top 15
1958 Judith Lucille Carlson[51] Birmingham 18 2nd runner-up
Did not compete between 1954 and 1957
1953 Doris Edwards[52] Birmingham 25 2nd runner-up
1952 Gadsden 24

Notes

  1. ^ Age at the time of the crowning

References

  1. ^ a b "Alexandria Girl Will Compete for Miss USA Title". The Anniston Star. 16 February 1977. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Miss Alabama is Miss USA". The Independent Record. 21 May 1967. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Colurso, Mary (1 June 2024). "Miss Alabama USA 2024: Miss Southern Plains wins the crown". AL.com. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Miss Auburn-Opelika crowned Miss Alabama USA 2023". AL.com. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Miss Dothan USA wins the crown". AL.com. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Cullman's Alexandria Flanigan crowned Miss Alabama USA". The Cullman Tribune. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  7. ^ Colurso, Mary (6 October 2019). "Miss Alabama USA 2020: Miss Auburn-Opelika takes the crown". AL.com.
  8. ^ Thrash, Rodney (24 June 2013). "Cobb Contestants Shine at Miss Georgia Pageant". Marietta Patch.
  9. ^ Sison, Bree (18 November 2018). "University of Alabama students win Miss Alabama USA, Miss Teen Alabama USA". WBRC. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  10. ^ Sison, Bree (8 November 2017). "New Miss Alabama USA wants to talk about mental health". Fox 6 News. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  11. ^ Moore, Tamika (5 November 2016). "Baylee Smith, of Pike County, crowned Miss Alabama USA 2017". AL.com. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  12. ^ Sutton, Amber (7 November 2015). "Peyton Brown, of Eufaula, crowned Miss Alabama USA 2016". The Huntsville Times. Huntsville, AL: Advance Publications. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  13. ^ "Alabama - Peyton Brown". Miss Teen USA. 2012. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  14. ^ Walden, Rebecca (19 December 2014). "Get to know Miss Alabama USA, Miss Hoover's own Madison Guthrie". Hoover Sun. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  15. ^ Watkins, Mia (26 November 2013). "Miss Alabama USA 2014 Jesica Ahlberg on Katherine Webb, her movie cameos and her new title (gallery, video)". AL.com. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  16. ^ Shapiro, Dmitriy (10 December 2012). "Gadsden native crowned Miss Alabama USA 2013 in Montgomery aims to help young women with self-confidence". AL.com.
  17. ^ Watkins, Mia (10 January 2013). "Miss Alabama, Miss Alabama USA: What's the big difference? (gallery and video)". AL.com. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Miss Alabama USA Madeline Mitchell Overcomes Horrific Injuries, Heads to Miss USA Beauty Pageant". ABC News. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  19. ^ Seale, Kathy (16 May 2010). "Miss Alabama USA Audrey Moore sets sights on winning Miss USA crown". AL.com. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  20. ^ Garcia, Oskar (17 May 2010). "Arab-American Crowned Miss USA". The Call-Leader. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Wiregrass Newsroom: Dothan native competes for Miss USA". WSFA. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  22. ^ Lee, Carla (23 November 2007). "Dothan woman head to Miss USA pageant". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  23. ^ a b c Associated Press (7 May 1996). "Racer's Daughter Named Miss Alabama USA". The Anniston Star. p. 2A – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Associated Press (10 May 1996). "Beauty Pageants Announce Victors". The Anniston Star. p. 13A – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Alabama-USA crown goes to Malaea Nelms". The Anniston Star. 19 December 1993. p. 12A – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Bates, Michael (9 February 1992). "Miss USA had quit pageants after error". The San Bernardino County Sun. p. 15. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "HOPEFUL QUEENS". The Press of Atlantic City. 8 February 1988. p. 15. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Pageant Contestants Arrive". Albuquerque Journal. 25 January 1987. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Jones, Jimmy (25 April 1986). "Miss Alabama USA ready to represent state at pageant". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. 10. Retrieved 21 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "People". Birmingham Post-Herald. 10 May 1982. p. 24. Retrieved 21 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "Miss Alabama-U.S.A." Alabama Journal. 3 March 1981. p. 16. Retrieved 21 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ Goggin, Terry (16 May 1980). "South Carolina coed is new Miss USA". Hattiesburg American. p. 9. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "UC Law Student Named Miss Ohio". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 13 June 1983. p. B-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "River pirates". Tampa Times. 21 April 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Miss Alabama to continue in pageant". The Montgomery Advertiser. 21 April 1978. p. 15. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "ALL SMILES". Pensacola News Journal. 9 February 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "SOMETHING TO WHOOP ABOUT". The Buffalo News. 14 May 1975. p. 1. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Beauty's birthday". The Montgomery Advertiser. 12 May 1972. p. 15. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Southern Miss USA Beauties". The Tampa Tribune. 18 May 1971. p. 18. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "SOUTHERN BEAUTIES". Tallahassee Democrat. 12 May 1970. p. 6. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Hitsy Parnell Wins Crown". Birmingham Post-Herald. 1 May 1969. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "SWIMSUIT WINNERS". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 16 May 1968. p. 62. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "Miss Alabama is Miss USA". The Independent Record. 21 May 1967. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Beauty, Southern Style, Preps For Miss U.S.A." The Miami News. 17 May 1966. p. 19. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ a b Smith, George (2 August 2012). "Pam has been there, done that". p. 2A – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "DIXIE BEAUTIES IN MIAMI". Birmingham Post-Herald. 12 July 1963. p. 7. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ "MISS U.S.A. AND 14 RUNNERS-UP". Iowa City Press-Citizen. 18 July 1963. p. 20. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Getting Acquainted". Pensacola News. 7 July 1962. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Alabama girl runner-up in Miami Beach contest". The Tuscaloosa News. 14 July 1961. p. 2. Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via Google News Archive.
  50. ^ "FBI beauty state 'Miss Universe'". The Birmingham News. Birmingham, Alabama. 27 June 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 20 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Miss Universe". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. 16 July 1958. pp. 1, 26. Retrieved 20 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "Miss Universe Contest near final event". Arizona Republic. 27 June 1952. p. 31. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Tinney