Willow Newell, a 22-year-old African American woman from Racine, Wisconsin, made history by becoming the first Black Miss Wisconsin. She won among 30 contestants and will now compete for Miss America 2026 in Florida.
Willow impressed the judges with her powerful rendition of “And I’m Telling You” from Dreamgirls. Her singing earned her the top vocal score and the Ryan Guy Memorial Music Scholarship, recognizing her talent.
Beyond her voice, Willow is passionate about her community. Her project, “Expression Without Exclusion,” works to make the arts open and welcoming for everyone through stories, resources, and connections.
According to WI Proud, Willow has been part of Miss America contests since 2017, starting as a teen competitor. This experience helped shape her journey to the state crown this year.
