Miss Alabama

The Miss Alabama competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the U.S. state of Alabama in the Miss America pageant.

Miss Alabamas have performed strongly at the Miss America pageant, particularly in the early 21st century, when the state produced their third Miss America, a first runner-up, a second runner-up, a fourth runner-up, two semi-finalists, and one quarter-finalist.

They did very well in the '80s, as well, placing 1st runner up to Miss America 1981, 3rd runner-up 1983, 2nd runner-up 1984, 4th runner-up 1986, top 10 1987, and 4th runner-up 1989. Miss Alabama was also 1st runner up to Miss America 1979.

Alabama has won three Miss America titles: Deidre Downs in 2005, Heather Whitestone (the first deaf woman to win the Miss America crown) in 1994, and Yolande Betbeze in 1951. Betbeze is well known as the Miss America who refused to pose in a swimsuit, causing swimsuit sponsors Catalina to pull out and start the Miss USA pageant.

Results summary

The year in brackets indicates the year of the Miss America competition the award/placement was garnered.

Placements

• Miss Americas: Yolande Betbeze (1951), Heather Whitestone (1995), Deidre Downs (2005)
• 1st runners-up: Teresa Cheatham (1979), Paige Phillips (1981), Scarlotte Deupree (2003)
• 2nd runners-up: Frances Dorn (1945), Martha Ann Ingram (1948), Anne Stuart Ariail (1957), Pam Battles (1984), Alexa Jones (2006)
• 3rd runners-up: Peggy Elder (1947), Gwen Harmon (1953), Virginia McDavid (1954), Yolanda......
...

Read More