Miss Alabama then and now: A look at 10 women who’ve earned the crown

The Miss Alabama competition has been celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022 with a variety of events, including this week’s competition at Samford University in Birmingham. Lauren Bradford, Miss Alabama 2021, will crown a new winner on Saturday.

Miss Alabama’s roots date back to 1921, although it took some time for the Miss Alabama/Miss America organization to be formally established, and the pageant’s early history includes a gap of several years during the Great Depression.

A long list of Miss Alabamas have held the title proudly over the past century, including three who went on to become Miss America: Yolande Betbeze (1950), Heather Whitestone (1994) and Deidre Downs (2004).

Here’s a closer look at the last 10 women who took the state title, along with some info on what they’re up to these days.

LAUREN BRADFORD, MISS ALABAMA 2021

Lauren Bradford was crowned Miss Alabama 2021. (Tamika Moore for AL.com)

When she was crowned: In June 2021, Bradford was a recent graduate of Auburn University, looking forward to her year as Miss Alabama. This meant traveling throughout the state -- making public appearances, doing charity work, speaking to community groups, motivating students and more. She’s also been spreading the word about her social impact initiative: “UNPLUG: The Digital Diet Plan.” It’s all about pulling our eyes away from cell phones and other electronic devices, setting reasonable limits on screen time.

At Miss America in 2021: Bradford was the first runner-up to Emma Broyles, Miss Alaska 2021. She earned a total of $42,500 in cash scholarships at the competition, including $10,000 attached to the Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Award and $5,000 as the winner of a South Dakota University STEM Essay Competition.

What she’s doing now: After completing her reign, Bradford will attend a graduate program at Vanderbilt University, studying finance. “This weekend, I started the process of moving some of my furniture from the Miss Alabama apartment in Birmingham up to my new apartment in Nashville,” Bradford said in a May 30 Instagram post. “I’ll start the one-year Master of Science in Finance program in August, and could not be more excited to put my scholarship dollars to work.”

TIARA PENNINGTON, MISS ALABAMA 2019-2020

Tiara Pennington earned the crown of Miss Alabama 2019 and kept the title through 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. (Vasha Hunt | al.com)

When she was crowned: In June 2019, Pennington -- the first black woman to be named Miss University of Alabama and the second black woman to be named Miss Alabama -- was a political science major at the University of Alabama. At the time, Pennington had no idea that her reign as Miss Alabama would be extended for an extra year during the coronavirus pandemic. Her tenure was marked by illness and recovery, personal growth and determination, as Pennington used all the resources at her disposal -- and developed some new skills -- to honor her commitments and uphold her reign during COVID. “This definitely has been a rollercoaster over the past two years,” Pennington said in a 2021 interview with AL.com. “I learned to make the best of everything.”

At Miss America in 2019: Pennington made the top seven. (The Miss America pageant was not held in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.)

What she’s doing now: Pennington graduated in May from the University of Alabama, with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. More schooling is in her future, as well. “It’s official!! I will be attending the University of Alabama School of Law this fall, and I have been named a Capstone Legal Scholar,” Pennington said in an April 2 Instagram post. “As a Capstone Legal Scholar, I will receive a 3-year renewable scholarship and stipend!! I feel tremendously blessed and ROLL TIDE!!”

CALLIE WALKER, MISS ALABAMA 2018

Callie Walker, Miss Tuscaloosa, was crowned Miss Alabama 2018. (AL.com file photo/Joe Songer)

When she was crowned: In June 2018, Walker was a musical theater student at the University of Alabama. After her win, Walker told AL.com that her goal going into the pageant was simply to enjoy the experience. “I was at peace with whatever happened at the end of the week. I think that mindset just gave me a really special weekend,” Walker said.

At Miss America in 2018: Walker placed in the top 10. She was following in the footsteps of her mother, Angela Tower Walker, a former Miss Alabama who won the swimsuit preliminary at the Miss America pageant in 1985.

What she’s doing now: Walker graduated from the University of Alabama in 2020, and has been pursuing a career in musical theater. She initially planned to perform on a cruise line, but the coronavirus pandemic put that job on hold. Walker has appeared in regional productions of “The Sound of Music,” “Carousel” and “A Chorus Line.” She moved to New York City in spring 2022, and hopes to make it on Broadway. “I am just here working and auditioning and literally following my dreams, which is kind of crazy,” Walker said in an Instagram chat with Miss Alabama 2021, Lauren Bradford.

JESSICA PROCTER, MISS ALABAMA 2017

Jessica Procter was crowned Miss Alabama 2017. (Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com)

When she was crowned: In June 2017, Procter was a senior at the University of Alabama, pursuing interdisciplinary studies and psychology. Procter told AL.com that she had a heart for service, and a genuine goal to leave people better than she found them. She also talked about her love of music, singing and songwriting. “Whether it is part-time or full-time or paid or volunteer, I want to be in a church working … leading worship or working in a youth ministry or both,” Procter said.

At Miss America in 2017: Procter made the top seven and won the Quality of Life Award.

What she’s doing now: Jessica Procter Gilmore is a realtor with ERA King Real Estate. She lives in Birmingham and has been married to Gray Gilmore since 2019, according to her Facebook page.

HAYLEY BARBER, MISS ALABAMA 2016

Hayley Barber won the title of Miss Alabama 2016. (AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore)

When she was crowned: In June 2016, Barber was a senior marketing major at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “I hope to immediately go into optometry school for another four years and potentially own my own private practice one day,” Barber said in an interview with AL.com. “I’d love to open a pediatric optometry practice.” That goal was linked to her Miss Alabama platform, Sight for Small Eyes.

At Miss America in 2016: Barber didn’t make the top 15, but she won the Quality of Life Award and other scholarships.

What she’s doing now: Hayley Barber DeShazo and her husband, Will DeShazo, are the founders of till, an online farmers market and food delivery service. The couple lives in Birmingham and has been married since 2018, according to her Facebook page.

MEG MCGUFFIN, MISS ALABAMA 2015

Meg McGuffin, a 22-year-old Auburn University graduate student, was crowned Miss Alabama 2015, during the finale of the Miss Alabama pageant Saturday, June 6, 2015. (AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore)

When she was crowned: In June 2015, McGuffin was an Auburn University graduate who had majored in media studies and political science. She was pursuing a master’s degree in administration of higher education. Later that year, McGuffin told AL.com she hoped to inspire and advocate for college students by becoming a university president of student affairs.

At Miss America in 2015: McGuffin took fifth place (also known as fourth runner-up).

What she’s doing now: McGuffin is in New York City, according to her Instagram account. Her Twitter bio describes McGuffin as “Higher Ed Ed.D. student @TeachersCollege @ColumbiaU and Hall Director @BarnardResLife.” LinkedIn says she’s a “doctoral student in higher and postsecondary education at Teachers College, Columbia University.”

CAITLIN BRUNELL, MISS ALABAMA 2014

Caitlin Brunell earned the title of Miss Alabama in 2014. (AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore)

When she was crowned: In June 2014, Brunell -- the daughter of retired NFL star Mark Brunell -- was a graduate of the University of Alabama who had majored in dance. “I’m in complete shock,” she told AL.com after her win. “I don’t know if I even have words to describe, but I have worked so hard for this moment. I could not be more proud to represent this state. This is an absolute honor and blessing. I’m just so thankful.” Brunell also said she hoped to dance on Broadway and earn a master’s degree in nonprofit management.

At Miss America in 2014: Brunell made the top 10 and won the Quality of Life Award.

What she’s doing now: Brunell is a development director at the American Heart Association. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida, according to her Facebook page. On her Instagram, Brunell also describes herself as “Asst. XC @episcopalschooljax, coach @stride_jacksonvillebeach.”

RELATED: Who is Miss Alabama 2014? What you need to know about Caitlin Brunell

CHANDLER CHAMPION, MISS ALABAMA 2013

Chandler Champion was crowned Miss Alabama 2013. (AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore)

When she was crowned: In June 2013, Champion was a student at the University of Alabama. She also was a longtime dancer, member of the Crimson Cabaret Dance Team and former participant in the Rockette Summer Intensive program. As a Miss Alabama contestant, she advocated for reading and literacy. “Literacy has just always been something I’ve been passionate about,” Champion told AL.com. “Family trips to the library might as well have been a vacation to me when I was younger. My dad read while I was still in my mother’s womb. I think that was the start of them implementing my love for reading and I’ve continued that.”

At Miss America in 2013: Champion didn’t place in the top 15, but won a talent award.

What she’s doing now: Champion is part of the communications team at the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, according to the UAB website.

ANNA LAURA BRYAN, MISS ALABAMA 2012

Anna Laura Bryan was crowned Miss Alabama 2012. (AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore)

When she was crowned: In June 2012, Bryan was a recent graduate of Samford University with a degree in interior design. Her philanthropic platform was PAWS for Autism (People and Animals Working Side by Side.)

At Miss America in 2012: Bryan made the top 12 and won the Quality of Life Award.

What she’s doing now: Anna Laura Bryan Strider is an Atlanta-based interior designer and member of the American Society of Interior Designers. She’s been been married to David Strider since 2015. She’s also an actor, “mother of cats and Chihuahua momma,” according to her Instagram page. From her website: “In her spare time, Anna Laura enjoys painting and dumpster diving for furniture and refurbishing her finds on a micro budget.”

COURTNEY PORTER, MISS ALABAMA 2011

Courtney Porter won the title of Miss Alabama 2011. (AL.com file photo)

When she was crowned: In June 2011, Porter was an Auburn University graduate who had majored in communications. Her community service platform was linked to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Her late mother, a kindergarten teacher for 32 years, encouraged her to foster children’s education. (Porter’s mother died in April 2011, after a two-year battle with liver cancer.) “I am pursuing this platform in her honor,” Porter told AL.com. “I just always had a heart for children because of her.”

At Miss America in 2011: Porter made the top 13.

What she’s doing now: Courtney Porter Orazine works for United Way of Central Alabama as a major gifts officer, according to her Facebook page. She previously was a senior relationship manager at the nonprofit organization. She’s been married to Scott Orazine since 2013 and lives in Birmingham.

IF YOU GO:

The Miss Alabama 2022 competition is set for June 29-July 2 at the Wright Center of Samford University, 872 Montague Drive, Bimingham. Preliminary competitions are set for Wednesday through Friday, June 29-July 1, at 7 p.m. The finals are scheduled for Saturday, July 2, at 7 p.m.

Single tickets are $39-$48 Wednesday through Friday, $53-$55 on Saturday. ($65 tickets for Saturday are sold out.) Season tickets (for all four nights) are $95-$135. Visit the Miss Alabama website or call 205-871-6276 for more info.