Miss Mississippi 2026 competition set for Saturday night in Vicksburg

VICKSBURG, Miss. (WLBT) - Thirty-eight Miss Mississippi delegates will compete Saturday night at the Vicksburg Convention Center, with one contestant set to be crowned Miss Mississippi 2026.

The competition begins at 8 p.m. with a production number, followed by the announcement of the top 11 delegates. Eight of the 38 delegates won in preliminary competition this week.

Three-way tie in Health and Fitness

Friday night’s final preliminary competition ended with a three-way tie in Health and Fitness.

Miss Starkville Morgan Nelson was second alternate the last two years. Miss Capital City Jane Granberry was first alternate in 2024 and 2025 and a former Miss Mississippi’s Teen. Miss Barnes Crossing Jaycee Drew Jansen also tied for the win.

With the win, Granberry is the only contestant this year to win both Fitness and Talent.

“The number one thing I want to do differently this year is just be better than last year’s version of myself. You know, this competition, yeah there are 38 delegates but I’m ultimately competing against yesterday’s version of Morgan and to hear my name called as Miss Mississippi would be amazing, but I’m so proud of the work that I’ve already done so far,” Nelson said.

“I mean, it would just be the most incredible opportunity. People ask if it’s a job or an opportunity or a role and I answer ‘C’ - all of the above. Because you can do so much with Miss Mississippi and, whether it’s for the community that you live in now or for the state, its an incredible opportunity and it would be the joy of my life to be Miss Mississippi 2026,” Granberry said.

“It would mean the world to me. I’ve dreamt of this ever since I was a little girl watching it on TV. It feels so surreal to finally be here on this stage and I really want to represent all the little girls at home who want to be here one day,” Jansen said.

Talent preliminary winner overcomes health issues

In Talent, Kayla Braswell, Miss New South, received top scores with the judges. She also won a Talent Preliminary in 2022.

Braswell said she faced health issues to get to the Miss Mississippi stage.

“I came into Miss Mississippi this week with a diagnosis of strep throat, a concussion and then, last night, I broke my toe, so the odds have been against me but you know I just wanted to show people that if you persevere what is meant for you will find you and, today, it found me,” Braswell said.

Earlier preliminary winners

Thursday night, Miss Tupelo McKenzie Cox won in Talent. A tie in Health and Fitness went to Miss University Cameron Davis and Miss All America City Malley Chase Faulkner.

Wednesday, Miss Capital City won in Talent. Miss Metro Jackson Nataleigh Nix won for Health and Fitness.

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