New Miss America Dragged Online for Makeup Fail – Fans Say ‘Please Fix That Concealer
Miss America 2026 is officially crowned, but the internet isn’t clapping for her glam look. Instead, people are roasting her makeup on the night she took home the crown.
Cassie Donegan, Miss New York, snagged the Miss America title on September 7, 2025. Big deal, right? She’s now the eighth New Yorker in over 100 years to win the pageant. Pretty iconic.
But while the crown looked stunning, fans couldn’t stop talking about her face beat. “Congrats love! But let’s get you a new makeup artist,” one comment read. And that pretty much sums up the viral buzz.
Now her concealer fail is trending harder than the win itself. From beauty forums to celebrity gossip blogs, everyone’s dropping their own makeup tips and skincare hacks on how she could’ve nailed that glam.
Contestant Cassie Donegan became the eighth Miss New York to be crowned Miss America
On the big night, Cassie looked like she walked straight out of a Hollywood red carpet. She rocked an elegant, body-hugging white silk gown with a one-shoulder sleeve and a mermaid-style skirt. Total pageant queen vibes.
Her glam was full-on too — rosy pink cheeks, fluttery long eyelashes, and glossy pink lipstick. She styled her strawberry-blonde hair in a sleek updo to finish the look.
But it wasn’t just the crowning moment that blew up online. A now-viral TikTok clip of Cassie doing a trendy transition video had fans glued to their screens.
First, she struts into an elevator wearing a backless gown with a sparkly silver bodice and a silky white skirt with a high slit. Then boom — doors open again, and she’s standing there as the new Miss America, crown on her head and bouquet in hand. Instant viral fashion moment.
Still, not everyone was hyped about her makeup. One user dropped the shady line: “Makeup artist needs a credential check.” And just like that, her beauty look became the hot topic across social media, from makeup tips threads to celebrity gossip blogs.
The 27-year-old pageant winner participated in a trendy TikTok transition to celebrate her iconic win
The 27-year-old pageant queen didn’t just take home the Miss America crown — she also went viral. Cassie Donegan jumped on a trendy TikTok transition to celebrate her big win, and fans can’t stop replaying it.
During the emotional crowning moment, Cassie stood in her sash and crown, clutching roses, surrounded by fellow contestants. It was pure pageant history in the making.
But this win wasn’t just about the sparkle. Along with the diamond-studded crown, Cassie scored over $50,000 in scholarships from the Miss America program. In a press release, she shared that the money will help pay for her undergrad studies and also fund her dream of earning a master’s degree. Pretty inspiring, right?
Still, social media had other things to say. While she looked stunning in her crown and bouquet, plenty of fans pointed out some noticeable makeup issues — especially her concealer. Screenshots from TikTok and Instagram quickly spread, with users debating her glam look and dropping beauty tips on how she could’ve nailed it.
Now Cassie’s not only trending for her win but also for the viral “makeup fail” that has everyone from beauty bloggers to pageant fans weighing in online.
She also pointed out how the legacy of this beauty competition inspires ambitious women to chase big dreams and actually make them real.
Honestly, I feel so lucky to represent an organization that not only gives out scholarships but also opens doors with real opportunities, resources, and a strong platform for women to lead. I’m super grateful for the chance to bring that mission to life and show how women’s empowerment, education, and career growth can go hand in hand.
Fans brutally mocked the new Miss America and slammed her makeup artist over “questionable” makeup
In the viral TikTok clips and photos from her crowning moment, Cassie looked stunning with her crown, sash, and bouquet of red roses… but social media had other plans. Instead of celebrating her win, netizens picked apart her makeup, saying it didn’t match her skin tone and made her look washed out.
One person commented, “Love it but someone needs to fix her concealer. It’s way too white and kinda drowns her out.”
On Instagram, where she posed outdoors with her crown against a casual city backdrop, the comments kept coming. Another user wrote, “Her looks just aren’t Miss America level,” while someone else said, “That makeup is just questionable.”
Others added she’s “too pretty for the way they did her makeup.”
It’s wild how a huge win like Miss America 2025, which should’ve been about women empowerment, scholarships, and career opportunities, turned into a viral beauty fail moment trending on TikTok and Instagram.
Donegan won over $50,000 in scholarships as part of her prize under the Miss America program
Cassie Donegan walked away with more than just the Miss America crown—she also scored over $50,000 in scholarships through the Miss America program. That’s life-changing money for education, student loans, and career growth.
In the viral TikTok clips, she’s seen rocking her crown, sash, and bouquet, though fans couldn’t help but notice her makeup and concealer in the hallway setting.
Cassie battled it out against 52 contestants from all 50 U.S. states, proving pageants are still about way more than beauty—it’s brains, talent, and confidence too.
She officially got crowned by last year’s Miss America 2025 winner, Abbie Stockard from Alabama, making the big moment even more special.
This win not only gives Cassie a national platform but also highlights the power of scholarship programs for women, beauty pageants with cash prizes, and opportunities for young women in education and leadership.
The runner-up spots were just as competitive as the crown itself. Standing out among the finalists were Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, Miss Florida Paris Richardson, Miss Georgia Audrey Kittila, and Miss Alabama Emma Terry. Each of them brought their own style, talent, and story to the stage—showing why the Miss America pageant is still one of the toughest competitions in the country.
Cassie, looking back at her journey, kept it humble. After winning the Miss New York crown in July 2025, she shared, “I will never be able to find the perfect words to express what this journey has meant to me, but I’ll start with the simplest: thank you.”
Her words capture exactly what these pageants are about—women empowerment, scholarships for education, leadership opportunities, and personal growth.
Cassie calls herself “beyond lucky” to represent New York in the competition
In one Instagram clip, the newly crowned Miss America was seen singing on stage in a sparkling black outfit, bright lights glowing behind her. It’s the kind of moment that shows why these pageants are more than just beauty—they’re about talent, confidence, and women empowerment.
Talking about her journey from winning Miss New York 2025 to stepping onto the national stage, Cassie said, “I could not be more honored to serve New York in this way. This state—diverse, driven, resilient—is home. I am so deeply proud to represent it and will do so with everything I have. To be supported on this journey by a state board as incredible as mine is every girl’s dream—and I’m beyond lucky to call that my reality.”
Now, as the new face of Miss America, Cassie takes on a huge role. She’ll be traveling across the U.S. as the official brand ambassador for the Miss America Opportunity, pushing forward the mission of scholarships for women, education, and leadership until the next queen is crowned.
Of course, social media had its usual critics, with one netizen writing, “The runner up was prettier.” But negativity aside, Cassie’s win puts her in a position to inspire young women, open doors for education funding, and keep the spotlight on how pageants create career opportunities for women across America.
