Miss New York 2025 Reveals ‘Insane’ Way She Came Into the Title

Miss New York 2025 has announced its third winner in just over two months.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Lauren Norris, a YouTuber and social media influencer, announced alongside the official Miss New York Organization that she would be stepping up to assume the title, making her the third woman to carry the crown since the original 2025 competition in July.

Back in July, Miss New York held its finals for the competition, where Mina Liang originally took home the title.

However, within days of being crowned, Liang announced in a statement to the Miss New York Scholarship Organization’s Facebook page that she would be “parting with the title of Miss New York earlier than planned.”

“Being crowned was never just about the crown atop my head, but about the light I prayed the world would see I lead with from my heart,” read the statement, posted on July 15.

The letter, signed by Liang, did not give a reason for the queen’s sudden departure.

However, as a result of Liang’s stepping down, Cassie Donegan, who was first runner-up at Miss New York, was elevated to the title of Miss New York 2025.

“If for any reason Miss New York cannot fulfill her duties, the first runner up will assume the title,” read a quote at the top of the Miss New York Organization’s announcement of Cassie’s crowning.

“That time has come. With the statement previously release from Mina Liang, we welcome Cassie Donegan to the title and job of Miss New York 2025!”

However, just last week, Donegan competed in the Miss America 2025 pageant, besting the 52 other competitors from all 50 states.

As a result, Donegan could not hold both the Miss America and Miss New York titles simultaneously.

Enter Lauren Norris, the original second runner-up for Miss New York, who, as of Sept. 15, has assumed the title of Miss New York.

In a video posted to her social media account, Norris explained the whirlwind of twists and turns that led to her ultimate crowning, including being moved up to second runner-up in placement as well as Donegan’s Miss America win.

“The crown is only one girl’s to wear, but every girl is deserving,” Norris said in her explanation video. “This is actually insane that everything happened in the way that it did, for Cassie and for me.”

A couple of weeks after competing in the Miss New York competition, Norris also became engaged.

“In my head, I was like, ‘Okay, this is it.’ My pageant journey has ended,” she recalls thinking at the time. Norris explained that, as an engaged woman, she would still be able to compete in pageants; however, once she became married, that door would close.

As the second runner-up, there was one other girl who was eligible to take over the title. However, Norris says she got the call last Friday.

“I happily accepted,” she said. “It was just perfect timing for me and my timeline.”