Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 8, 2025 · Entertainment

Miss America Crowned Amidst Makeup Controversy: What's the Real Shade?

Cassie Donegan, 27, was crowned Miss America 2026, after winning the state title in New York in July

MISS AMERICA BEHEADED: Cassie Donegan's Crowned Glory Tainted by Cruel Criticism of Her Makeup

The 2026 Miss America pageant has been marred by controversy, with the newly crowned beauty queen, Cassie Donegan, facing a barrage of nasty comments and snide remarks about her makeup. The 27-year-old blonde bombshell was crowned Miss America in July after winning the state title in New York, but her joyous moment was short-lived as trolls began to pounce on her appearance.

In a video shared by the official Miss America account on TikTok, Cassie is seen walking towards an elevator backstage, looking stunning in a daring white open-back gown that left little to the imagination. The gorgeous ensemble featured a high slit and sparkling glittery bodice, which perfectly complemented her porcelain skin and raven-haired beauty.

While Cassie looked ecstatic with her new title, critics slammed her makeup artist for not color matching her makeup to her skin tone

However, when the video was posted, the comments section quickly turned into a war zone, with some users brutally bashing Cassie's makeup artist for not color-matching her concealer to her skin tone. "Congrats love! Let's get you a new makeup artist," one user quipped, while another snarked, "Love it but we need to have someone fix her concealer. It's a bit too white and drowns her out."

One particularly harsh critic wrote, "Her makeup is questionable," adding fuel to the fire of criticism that soon engulfed the comments section. Another user simply asked, "Is it just me or is her makeup off?" while a few others tried to defend Cassie, arguing that the bright lighting in the video made her complexion appear uneven.

Despite the backlash, Cassie's fans and supporters rallied around her, praising her inner beauty and poise. One enthusiastic fan gushed, "Her makeup is literally good; the bright lighting just alters the appearance," while another chimed in, "I genuinely did not think it looked bad lol. But okay."

She spoke about the importance of being true to yourself during her rapid-answer round, discussing 'authentic self-expressions' in professional settings

So, what really went down behind the scenes? Did Cassie's makeup artist drop the ball, or was this just a case of harsh online criticism gone wild? We can't help but wonder if the pressure to look perfect took its toll on Cassie, who had worked tirelessly to perfect her craft.

Cassie, who is not only a stunning beauty queen but also a talented singer and actor, has always been known for her fierce determination and confidence. In an interview with thescholarlynote.com after her win, she spoke about the importance of being true to oneself in professional settings, saying, "I believe that being true to yourself 100 percent is the most important thing that you can do, and if that includes your self-expression through piercings or tattoos, then 100 percent do it."

Her words rang especially true as she accepted her crown, surrounded by the bright lights of the stage. With a platform like Miss America comes great power, but also great scrutiny – will Cassie be able to navigate the cutthroat world of beauty pageants and social media criticism?

She was crowned by the previous winner, Abbie Stockard from Alabama

As the dust settles on this controversy, we can't help but wonder what's next for Cassie Donegan. Will she rise above the hate and prove her critics wrong? Only time will tell.

Cassie was crowned by the previous winner, Abbie Stockard from Alabama, who had previously held the title of Miss America 2025. In a fitting tribute to her predecessor, Cassie vowed to carry on the legacy of the organization, saying, "Miss America has always been a powerful springboard for ambitious women to turn their dreams into reality."

As she takes on this new role, we can't help but wish her all the best – may her inner beauty shine through amidst the harsh glare of online criticism.

A Closer Look at Cassie's Background:

Cassie Donegan is a talented singer and actor who has already made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She won an award for her vocal gifts after participating in the Miss America 2026 Talent Competition, where she dazzled judges with her singing talents.

A natural performer, Cassie has always been drawn to the world of entertainment. Her confidence on stage is undeniable, and we can't help but wonder what the future holds for this ambitious young woman.

The Numbers Game:

Cassie beat over 52 women representing all 50 states in the competition, including first runner-up Sadie Schiermeyer from Texas and second runner-up Paris Richardson from Florida. Her win comes with a $50,000 tuition scholarship, which she plans to use to further her education and pursue her dreams.

The Real Winner:

So what does it take to be crowned Miss America? According to Cassie, it's all about being true to oneself – something that resonated deeply with her fans. "I think that no one has the right to tell you what you can do with your own body," she said in an interview after her win. "This is your vessel, and you should be able to walk around proudly in it."

With her words of wisdom ringing in our ears, we can't help but admire Cassie's courage and conviction – even amidst the harsh criticism that has come her way.

The Final Verdict:

Will Cassie rise above the hate and prove her critics wrong? Only time will tell. One thing is for certain, however – she's a winner in our eyes.