Abbie Stockard is planning a career as a nurse anesthetist specializing in pediatrics. But after seeing her in photos of her Miss America wardrobe, we’d suggest a modeling career on the side.
The Birmingham native, 22, combines smarts and beauty in her role as Miss Alabama 2024, along with a desire to help others. All of these qualities have been on display this week, as Stockard competes in Miss America pageant in Orlando, Florida.
She’s one of 52 women vying for the 2025 crown, which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. Before she left for Orlando, Miss Alabama showcased her Miss America wardrobe for AL.com, including a stunning evening gown, a pink pantsuit, a silver cocktail dress and more. (See photos of her modeling the clothes in the photo gallery at the top of this post.)
Since her arrival at the pageant, Stockard has participated in several activities and events, including preliminary competitions, production rehearsals, interviews with the Miss America judges, a visit to Universal Orlando Resort and more. And she’s been getting noticed this week, as the action heats up for the finals on Sunday, Jan. 5.
Stockard was one of six women who earned the AHA Go Red for Women Leadership Award, in affiliation with the American Heart Association. These awards go to Miss America contestants who promote women’s heart health in their communities. As a nursing student who’s raised money and awareness for the heart association, Stockard was an ideal candidate for this accolade.
The main event at Miss America, of course, happens on Sunday at the Walt Disney Theater, as the finals take place and a new winner is crowned.
“I truly believe that I am equipped with the skills to be an effective Miss America.,” Stockard told AL.com. “That would be absolutely incredible. I have a plan as Miss America, and I know that I would be an effective brand ambassador. I would help to increase their visibility. And the way I think of myself is, I’m very joyful. I’m very compassionate. I love to serve, and that would be the forefront of my reign.”
Stockard sounded upbeat and cheerful this week, reflecting on her experiences as Miss Alabama and looking forward to whatever the Miss America competition has in store. Here’s what she said during a 25-minute phone interview — and yes, we made sure to ask the Auburn University student if she would let loose with a “War Eagle!” on stage.
(The interview below was edited for length and clarity.)
Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, models her Miss America 2025 wardrobe in Alabama prior to the competition. Stockard is one of 52 women vying for the 2025 Miss America crown which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. She wears her Rebel Athletics New Year Visitation outfit, a white double-breasted coat dress with black lapels and rhinestone buttons by Jovani from The Clothes Tree by Deborah.
(Tamika Moore/Al.com) AL.COM
You’re halfway through your reign as Miss Alabama, after being crowned in June 2024. What have the last six months been like for you?
Abbie Stockard: It’s been a very crazy season, but I have loved so much of it. I’ve gotten to do a lot of different appearances. One of my favorite ones was that I traveled to Washington, D.C., and I was able to advocate on Capitol Hill. My service initiative is about cystic fibrosis awareness, and I was able to be a voice on behalf of the CF community.
I have an idea as Miss America that I want to launch if I’m crowned, called Miss America Takes Capitol Hill Day. I was able to speak with (U.S. Senators) Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, who are ready to help me launch that initiative if I do end up being crowned.
How are you feeling this week in Orlando, now that the Miss America competition is underway?
I’m extremely excited. It’s kind of crazy, all of that work you put into it, and now that it’s actually all taking place is just super exciting. I’m having a blast.
What have you been doing to prepare for the Miss America competition?
There is so much more preparation that goes into it than what you see just on the Miss America stage. We compete in fitness, onstage question, interview, evening gown and talent. For talent, I have been in the dance studio every single day, just running my talent over and over to make sure that I’m maintaining my stamina, but also my technique and flexibility. On top of that, I’ve been working out for the fitness component and practicing my evening gown walk because it’s harder than it looks.
The thing that I spent the most time on is my onstage question and interview preparation. We’ve been doing mock interviews every week, and then outside of that, every single day, I’m just going through my two notebooks of all of the notes that I have written down over the past three years of competing. I think it’s like studying for a test. (The Miss Alabama organization) makes sure that I am very, very prepared. On top of that, I’m still doing appearances as Miss Alabama. We’ve been doing all the things.
What does competing for Miss America mean to you?
It’s an absolute dream. Little girl Abbie never imagined she would be here competing for Miss America. It’s a huge honor that I’m extremely grateful for. But I also hope that I can inspire other young women who maybe haven’t gotten started competing in Miss America.
I didn’t grow up competing in pageants. I didn’t know if I’d be successful in the Miss America opportunity. I knew nothing about it. I didn’t start until I was 19, and I was a freshman at Auburn University. Here I am three years later, competing for Miss America. I hope to break that stigma some people have about pageants and show other young women, especially in Alabama, that they, too, can thrive in this organization. By making one small decision to start competing, your entire life can be changed.
Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, models her Miss America 2025 wardrobe in Alabama prior to the competition. Stockard is one of 52 women vying for the 2025 Miss America crown which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. She wears her Miss America production filming outfit, a green Chiara Boni mockneck midi dress, from Gus Mayer.
(Tamika Moore/Al.com) AL.COM
Amid all the excitement in Orlando, what are you doing to stay calm and composed?
I feel so thankful. I have an amazing support system of the Miss Alabama board and my family, my traveling companions and all of my friends. They’ve been sending me the most uplifting and encouraging messages, and I think that’s really kept me grounded.
And I’m very strong in my faith. The reason that I’ve stayed calm is going back and reading Bible verses about not being fearful and having peace and confidence, because the Lord tells us, do not fret or do not worry. I’m putting my trust in that and putting my trust in the work that I’ve done beforehand. This is just the time to press “play” and see it all unfold.
I’ve also told myself I’ve already accomplished the big thing. My dream was to become Miss Alabama. Yes, I would love to be Miss America, but for me, this is like a cherry on top, because the real dream is just getting to represent the state of Alabama, and I already get to do that.
You’re taking a year off from school at Auburn, to fulfill your duties as Miss Alabama. Will we hear a “War Eagle!” from you on stage at Miss America?
I don’t think I can say “War Eagle!” on stage as badly as I want to. I said it on my social media post last night, so I’ll sneak it in there when I can.
READ: Miss Alabama 2024 is an Auburn fan: ‘I just fell in love with the community’
Any thoughts on the other Miss America contestants you’ve met on scene?
The women here are just incredible. They’re all incredible and driven and dedicated, and it’s just super inspiring knowing that this generation and class of women is accomplishing so much.
READ: Miss America 2025: Meet 52 women competing for the crown
Abbie Stockard performed a contemporary dance routine to “You Say” at the Miss Alabama 2024 finals competition on Saturday, June 29, 2024.
(Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt | [email protected]
Your talent for Miss America is contemporary dance. How are you feeling about the talent competition?
I’ve been dancing for 20 years, ever since I was 2 years old. Now that I’m older, I don’t really get to perform on a stage anymore, and I’m performing on the most iconic stage ever, the Miss America stage. I’m just so excited to showcase my talent and get back on stage and perform, because I feel like that’s where I really come alive and thrive the most.
I’m doing a contemporary dance to “You Say” by Lauren Daigle. It’s the same one that I competed in at Miss Alabama and won with. It’s a really special piece to me. My grandmother actually picked out the song “You Say” for me before she passed away. She used to tell me that whenever I hear that song, she wants me to remember that I am loved, I am strong, I am valuable, and never let anyone make you think otherwise.
I hope that by performing, I can be a light and an inspiration to others, but also remind people in the audience the importance of just always sticking to the course and staying true to who you are.
Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, models her Miss America 2025 wardrobe in Alabama prior to the competition. Stockard is one of 52 women vying for the 2025 Miss America crown which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. She wears her arrival ceremony outfit, a red double-breasted Jovani crepe pantsuit with rhinestone buttons from The Clothes Tree by Deborah. (Tamika Moore/Al.com) AL.COM
Tell us about your wardrobe for Miss America, and why it’s important.
Part of the Miss America brand is style That’s important because Miss America has to be able to cultivate her own style. It showcases your confidence and your individuality. … My wardrobe is iconic. I feel like the theme I’m going for with all of my outfits is classy but vibrant. They’re pretty colorful. Some of them also give “boss woman.”
All of my outfits are sponsored by (Birmingham companies) The Clothes Tree and Gus Mayer, and they have made this whole process so seamless. I knew that if they were sponsoring me, no matter what I put on, it was going to be fabulous, and that is absolutely true.
What’s your evening gown like for the finals?
I’m obsessed with it. It’s a halter and the whole top half is gold and champagne beads. The entire thing is just covered in beads, very sparkly. The bottom half goes straight down and it’s white silk with a slit on my left leg. The entire back of the dress is like an open back, but there’s like a crisscross of the straps that are also covered in the gold and champagne beading. It gives old Hollywood. I feel very glamorous, but also angelic when I put it on.
Will you have a cheering section of family and friends in Orlando on Sunday?
My whole family will be here, and all of my friends are taking a road trip. We got buttons made, so they’re all gonna be repping my face on their outfits.
Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, models her Miss America 2025 wardrobe in Alabama prior to the competition. Stockard is one of 52 women vying for the 2025 Miss America crown which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. She wears her Miss America evening gown, a custom couture Jovani champagne crystal fully-beaded halter cowl neck with off-white silk satin open low back, from The Clothes Tree by Deborah. (Tamika Moore/Al.com) AL.COM
Does it help to know your loved ones are on scene?
I truly feel like the most celebrated girl in the world. Orlando, I’m not gonna lie, it’s kind of expensive. The hotel room, traveling, and the fact that all of them are willing to sacrifice their money and time to come support me is just so sweet. It just makes me feel so good. I want to make them proud, too, because they’ve all played a role in my journey to getting here.
What would you like to say to people back home in Alabama who’ll be rooting for you at the finals?
I want to thank everyone so much for supporting me. I feel so loved and celebrated. Your support means the world to me. I’m going to do my best to reflect Alabama in the most positive light, and do everything I can to make the state of Alabama proud.
How to watch: The Miss America competition will not be broadcast on television this year. However, the finals event will stream online, and you can see it for free at PageantVision.com. The livestream starts at 6 p.m. CT on Jan. 5.
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Publish date : 2025-01-03 23:00:00
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