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Miss America Abbie Stockard Celebrates Victory with Boyfriend Walker Kessler, Reflects on Changes in Miss America Rules

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Posted: 15th January 2025 by
Michelle Thomas
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Miss America Abbie Stockard Celebrates Victory with Boyfriend Walker Kessler, Reflects on Changes in Miss America Rules.

Abbie Stockard, 22, who recently celebrated her victory as Miss America on January 5, marked the special occasion with her NBA star boyfriend, Walker Kessler, 23. The couple’s relationship would have faced restrictions in previous years, but changes to the Miss America rules have made their relationship easier to navigate.

Abbie Stockard

Abbie Stockard (@abbiestockard Instagram)

Abbie Stockard, crowned Miss America 2024, celebrates her victory with NBA star Walker Kessler. This marks a significant shift in Miss America’s once-strict relationship rules.

In a 2023 A&E docuseries Secrets of Miss America, former Miss America titleholders shared that the strict policies under former CEO Sam Haskell prevented contestants from having boyfriends. As 2016 titleholder Betty Maxwell explained, “They’re very, very, very anti-boyfriend because they want you to look like you’re America’s sweetheart.” She pointed out the contradiction between the feminist ideals promoted by the competition and the reality that many young women are in relationships.

In fact, the rules were so strict that contestants’ fathers weren’t even allowed to enter their hotel rooms. Miss America 2018, Savvy Shields Wolfe, recalled how “boyfriends were not allowed to exist when you're Miss America” under Haskell’s leadership.

Abbie Stockard

Abbie Stockard (@abbiestockard Instagram)

However, recent changes under CEO Robin Fleming have made the Miss America competition more lenient, especially regarding contestants’ relationships. Stockard is grateful for the shift, saying, “I'm so glad that it doesn't really matter now because it does not affect your job as Miss America at all.”

Stockard also shared that the new policies have made a big difference in her relationship with Kessler, a player for the Utah Jazz. “Having the Miss America team support Walker and our relationship has just made it even more special,” she said.

Stockard acknowledged that previous contestants who were in serious relationships chose not to compete due to the strict rules. “I’ve heard stories of girls who just didn’t want to compete because they were in a serious relationship,” Stockard said. “But now it’s not like that. They don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

While Miss America still prohibits married women and mothers from competing, Stockard believes the new approach may attract more participants. The 22-year-old nursing student credits Kessler as a significant source of support throughout her journey, noting how he’s actively engaged in promoting the Miss America organization.

Abbie Stockard with boyfriend Walker Kessler

Abbie Stockard with boyfriend Walker Kessler (@kidkessler Instagram)

She shared, “I watched one of his media interviews with the Utah Jazz yesterday, and they didn’t ask him one basketball question… It was all about Miss America. He was literally using my talking points.”

Kessler congratulated Stockard on Instagram, writing, “I am so proud of you and everything you stand for. Your hard work and trust in the Lord has awarded you with this incredible opportunity! Use your light to shine on others around you!”

Though the timeline of their relationship remains unclear, the couple officially announced they were dating in January 2024, with Kessler showing immense pride and support for Stockard’s Miss America victory.

Sam Haskell (Youtube)

Sam Haskell (Youtube)

Under former Miss America CEO Sam Haskell, the organization maintained strict rules about contestants' personal lives, particularly relationships. The regulations were designed to uphold the image of Miss America as a "pure" and "wholesome" figure, one often deemed as a role model for young women. In the past, the Miss America organization was known for enforcing a no-boyfriend policy, as they wanted contestants to present themselves as unattached, focusing solely on their duties as a national representative.

This policy extended to situations where personal relationships, including even fathers, were restricted from entering contestants’ hotel rooms during the competition. Past winners have shared in interviews that these rules were incredibly rigid, with one former titleholder noting that it was made clear that "Sam was in charge, and what he said went," reflecting how far-reaching the restrictions were.

The policy on boyfriends was considered highly controversial, and many former titleholders, such as Betty Maxwell (Miss America 2016) and Savvy Shields Wolfe (Miss America 2018), expressed that it was outdated, especially in a time where issues like feminism and the #MeToo movement were becoming central discussions in society. Many felt that it didn't acknowledge the reality that young women, especially in their 20s, were in relationships and didn't want to hide or sacrifice their personal lives for the title.

However, under the leadership of Robin Fleming, who became CEO in 2023, the Miss America Organization has relaxed these policies. This change has allowed more freedom for contestants to have relationships, and it is seen as a positive shift that could help the organization become more inclusive and relatable to a broader group of young women.

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