Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan Concludes Reign, Warns Next Titleholder Against This 1 Major Mistake (Exclusive)
Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan Concludes Reign, Warns Next Titleholder Against This 1 Major Mistake (Exclusive)
Zoey Lyttle, Tabitha ParentSat, September 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC
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Cassie Donegan visits the Empire State Building on Sept. 17, 2025 in New York City.Credit: John Nacion/Getty -
One year after she was crowned Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan is preparing to hand off the title and responsibilities when her successor is named at the upcoming pageant on Sept. 6
The 28-year-old has spent the past year traveling for speaking engagements, charity events and performances around the country
As she wraps up her reign, Donegan tells PEOPLE what she’s learned in the role of Miss America and what she hopes the 2027 winner carries with her into the year ahead
Cassie Donegan is reflecting on all that made her year special as she wraps up her reign as Miss America 2026.
The actress and singer was crowned Miss America on stage in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 7, 2025, months after she won the state title in New York. Donegan, 28, has spent the past year touring the country for high-profile appearances, speaking engagements and performances. In her final act as the 2026 titleholder, she’ll crown her successor at this year’s pageant on Saturday, Sept. 6.
In her final days wearing the coveted crown and sash, Donegan tells PEOPLE that the biggest lesson she learned in the role was “that you will never regret giving more of yourself to people.”
Cassie Donegan at the American Heart Association Concert Gala on Jan. 29, 2026 in New York City.Credit: Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty
The seasoned performer notes that she came into her reign with goals to advocate for arts education, expand scholarships she created, serve the U.S. military community and use her platform to bring about real change. “And I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished,” Donegan reflects. “But when I look back, I don’t immediately think about numbers or headlines. I think about people.”
She continues, “I think about the child who waited after an appearance because she needed to tell me what she wanted to be when she grew up. The senior who held my hand a little longer. The veteran who trusted me with his story. The student who needed someone to tell them that their talent mattered. The person who said, ‘I needed to hear that today.’ ”
It was a year spent wearing glittery items and banners that catch eyes around the room. “The greatest thing you can do is to use that visibility to notice everyone else,” Donegan says.
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This year’s winner will be the 99th woman to hold the title, but Donegan hopes she won’t pay too much mind to the standards set before her. At the end of her reign, her biggest piece of advice is straightforward: “Do not waste one second of your year trying to be Miss America the ‘right’ way,” Donegan shares.
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She emphasizes the importance of individuality while still acknowledging the expansive history of “incredible women who have worn this crown.” Crucially, Donegan adds, “The organization doesn’t need another version of any of us. It needs you.”
The former New York pageant titleholder tells PEOPLE that she urges the next winner to say “yes” as often as she possibly can, whether that means staying for an extra picture at an event, visiting somewhere even if it’s out of the way and talking to everyone in a room.
“The crown gives you access to rooms most people will never enter. But your legacy will be determined by what you do once the door opens,” Donegan concludes. “So don’t spend 365 days trying to look like Miss America. Be her. And then redefine her.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
