Miss Alabama winner Abbie Stockard, 22, defeated 51 other women to claim the prestigious title.
The event was held over two days at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando on January 4 and 5.
Beauty queens from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico vied for the opportunity to make history.
The 52 stars were reduced to 11 for the final.
Stockard, a Birmingham college student, won the evening gown, talent, fitness, and Hot Topic competitions, earning $50,000.
In the talent category, she did a dance routine to Lauren Daigle’s 2018 single You Say.
Stockard said she was motivated by her mother, who worked multiple jobs, and her best friend, who had cystic fibrosis.
Madison Marsh, Miss America 2024, crowned her by showering her with gold.
Stockard is the fourth Miss Alabama to claim the national title.
Following her victory, Stockard stated that she felt like the world’s most celebrated girl, but viewers were unimpressed with the presentation.
She appeared in an Instagram video on the official Miss America account and broke her silence following her victory.
“This is insane,” she stated.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve this.”
Stockard wishes to pursue a profession in pediatrics.
The event was webcast on YouTube, however one critic claimed the show was wrecked.
“Miss America used to be a prime TV event,” one exclaimed.
“Now I have to search through YouTube to find it.”
The pageant previously aired on NBC and ABC until being televised on Peacock in 2022.
This year’s contest could be viewed on PageantVision.com or the Miss America YouTube account.
Stockard was congratulated online, but some argued her victory was predictable.
Some puzzled why Miss Texas, Annette Addo-Yobo, who finished second, did not win.
This is insane.
Abbie Stockard Miss America, 2025
Carley Vogel, representing Tennessee, and Casana Fink, Miss Florida 2024, finished as runners-up.
The ABC affiliate WCJB-TV reported that Fink got a $3,000 scholarship for her efforts.
Stephanie Finoti, Miss Ohio 2024, rounded out the top 5.
However, the contest’s production staff came under fire.
“It’s time for my annual they destroyed Miss America post,” another said.
“This is not intended toward the girls; they are all amazing and wonderful.
“But off the bat, this production is awful and, honestly, cringe.”
Viewers slammed the contest’s organizers, demanding for a major change.
‘CRINGEWORTHY’
“Congratulations, Miss Alabama, on winning Miss America,” a viewer said.
“But I can’t keep saying how bad this organization is and how it has to be overhauled.
“The significant reduction in production quality does a disservice to these great women.”
Some criticized this year’s tournament as “cringeworthy” and uncomfortable to watch.
This year’s Miss America was the 97th edition of the competition.
Stockard succeeds Marsh, and the contest honored last year’s victorious pageant queen.
Marsh was the first active-duty Air Force officer to earn the honor.
“Your incredible achievements go beyond beauty and grace,” a post on the contest’s X account read.
“You are a symbol of what’s possible when courage, determination, and service come together.”