Rapper Bhad Bhabie Through the Years: Inside Her Unusual Rise to Fame
Alabama
Miss Alabama 2024: Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover, takes the crown
Abbie Stockard is the new Miss Alabama.
Stockard, 21, was crowned Saturday night at Samford University’s Wright Center in Birmingham. She competed as Miss Hoover, besting 39 other contestants for the 2024 state title. Stockard will move on to represent Alabama at the Miss America competition.
Stockard takes over the role of Miss Alabama from Brianna Burrell, Miss Alabama 2023. Burrell crowned her successor at the Wright Center on Saturday and Stockard was presented with a bouquet of roses.
Stockard, from Birmingham, is a student at Auburn University, where she majors in nursing. According to her Miss Alabama bio, she plans to gain critical care experience and apply to nurse anesthesia school after graduation. Her goal is to earn an advanced degree, a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, and specialize in pediatrics.
Stockard also is a member of the Auburn University Tiger Paws dance team.
The yearlong reign of the new Miss Alabama starts immediately. She’ll make public appearances, do charity work, speak to community groups, motivate students and more. Stockard’s community service initiative is Be the Change: Find a Cure — Cystic Fibrosis Awareness.
Stockard was one of 13 semifinalists chosen at the pageant finals on Saturday, competing in segments that focused on talent, on-stage interview, evening gown and heath and fitness. For talent, she performed a contemporary dance to Lauren Daigle’s “You Say.”
Three rounds of preliminary contests for Miss Alabama 2024 took place Wednesday through Friday at the Wright Center, giving all 40 contestants a chance to strut their stuff in talent, evening gown, health and fitness and on-stage interview segments. The contestants also chatted with the judges this week during off-stage interviews and showcased their community service initiatives.
Stockard won two preliminary awards this week, earning the top score in the evening gown competition on Wednesday and the talent competition on Friday.
Scores received in the preliminaries were used to create a composite score that was considered by the judges on Saturday, and weighted as 30 percent of each contestant’s score in the finals. This was added to Saturday scores in talent, evening gown and health and fitness (each weighted as 20 percent) and on-stage question (10 percent).
Miss Alabama, like the Miss America organization, no longer has a swimsuit competition. It was eliminated at Miss America in 2018, and Miss Alabama followed suit in 2019. However, a health and fitness segment was added this year, and contestants modeled activewear designed for the Miss America organization.
Also, this year’s People’s Choice Contest that allowed the pubic to vote online for their favorite contestants in advance of the Miss Alabama finals. Each vote cost $1. The contestant with the most votes earned a spot among the top 13 semifinalists on Saturday. Voting ran through Friday evening, according to the Miss Alabama Organization.
The top 13 semifinalists this year were:
- Dominique Verville, Miss Cahaba Valley
- Imani Muse, Miss Birmingham
- Chloe Yates, Miss Phenix City
- Maddi Heath, Miss Jubilee
- Lauren Vance, Miss Covered Bridge
- Mikella Anderson, Miss Appalachian Valley
- Ibby Dickson, Miss Historic Springville
- Emma Terry, Miss Jefferson County
- Mary-Coker Green, Miss Auburn University
- Marissa Luna, Miss University of Alabama
- Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover
- Emma Wright, Miss Tennessee Valley
- Hannah Adams, Miss Mobile Bay
Later on Saturday, the list of finalists was trimmed to the top five. They were:
- Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover
- Emma Terry, Miss Jefferson County (first runner-up)
- Marissa Luna, Miss University of Alabama
- Maddi Heath, Miss Jubilee
- Hannah Adams, Miss Mobile Bay
Although glitzy on-stage activity is the most public aspect of the Miss Alabama pageant, there’s significant scholarship money at stake behind the scenes. Cash scholarships in various categories are awarded to contestants during competition week, totaling $126,500 this year, according to the Miss Alabama pageant guide.
The title of Miss Alabama comes with a $15,000 scholarship. The first runner-up receives $5,000; the second runner-up receives $3,000; the third runner-up gets $2,500; the fourth-runner up receives $2,000, all in scholarship money.
Other semi-finalists receive $1,500 each in scholarship money. The remaining contestants receive $1,250 each for competing in the pageant. More than 40 other cash scholarships, in sums of $100-$5,000, are awarded by the pageant’s scholarship committee and various donors.
This week’s preliminary talent winners will receive $500 each in scholarship money, according to the pageant guide. Winners in the evening gown preliminaries will receive $300 each in scholarship money.
Several colleges and universities in the state also offer in-kind scholarships to the winner and other contestants, paying tuition, fees and other expenses.
Judges for this year were Amanda Joseph May. Amanda Tapley McGriff, Sharron Melton, Jay Pitts and Rick Pruitt.
Tammy Little Haynes, Miss Alabama 1984, was the emcee for Saturday’s program. The agenda included production numbers by Miss Alabama 2023 and this year’s contestants, performing to songs such as “How Will I Know,” “Stars Fell on Alabama” and “Stronger.” Miss Alabama’s Teen 2024, Ali Mims, performed at the finals, as well. Tiara Pennington, Miss Alabama 2019-2020, sang the national anthem.
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Alabama
Alabama Barker Claims Bhad Bhabie's Boyfriend Le Vaughn Is Abusive
Bhad Bhabie accused Alabama Barker of apparently stealing her boyfriend, Le Vaughn.
In a since-deleted Instagram Story post screenshotted by Page Six, Bhad Bhabie, 21, claimed, “@AlabamaLuellaBarker took my man. … I told [Le Vaughn] next time I catch you. You got be with time.”
The rapper and social media personality, who welcomed daughter Kali in March with Le Vaughn, then declared she is “single.”
Barker, 18, subsequently denied the accusations.
“I want to be clear: I have no interest in this man, nor would I ever lower myself to be with someone who has been physically abusive towards women,” Alabama, the daughter of exes Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler, wrote in a since-deleted Instagram Story message, per Daily Mail.
Alabama then went on her TikTok on Wednesday, December 18, further denying that she would ever date Le Vaughn, 26.
“I’ve been to her house one time and I guess he was there, but I never saw his face,” Alabama recalled in her Wednesday video. “I’m not looking to wreck anyone’s home or family. I don’t get any cool points from that and I don’t benefit from it all. I also would never date this man.”
Alabama further explained that she later met up with Le Vaughn in Las Vegas and he “continuously lied to [her]” and claimed to be single.
“Sadly, I fell for his manipulative lies and after I told him I no longer wanted communication with him, he continuously tried to talk to me and put me in a very uncomfortable position,” Alabama alleged. “I’m not going to disregard my faults in the situation. There are definitely certain things I could have gone about differently.”
According to Alabama, she “did try to ghost” Le Vaughn in August, but he kept trying to message her. Alabama also alleged that Le Vaughn said he was “in love with me” but refused to tell Bhad Bhabie (real name Danielle Bregoli) the truth.
“The situation is unfortunate and goes against my morals as a woman,” Alabama said. “My intentions are never to break a family apart. That is the lowest of the barrel. Believe me or don’t believe me, that is just disgusting.”
She added, “Thankfully, I’m not blind to the fact that he’s manipulating her or myself. He’s also gaslighting the situation and trying to turn us against each other when really he was the problem from the beginning. Me and Danielle were more like acquaintances than anything.”
Alabama further “regrets even acknowledging [Le Vaughn] in the first place and letting this even become a thing.”
“I take full accountability for things I did participate in, whether I did or did not know, that’s not fair to her at all,” Alabama said. “He’s pushing 30 and he thinks this is OK. That is honestly scary. … I understand her frustration.”
Neither Bhad Bhabie nor Le Vaughn have further addressed the alleged situation.
Alabama
What channel is Alabama basketball vs North Dakota today? TV, streaming info, start time
Alabama basketball is back on the road for the last away game of its non-conference slate on Wednesday.
The No. 7 Crimson Tide will face North Dakota, marking a homecoming game for North Dakota State transfer and Devils Lake native Grant Nelson.
North Dakota is 4-8 and enters the matchup on a three-game losing streak, including back-to-back defeats from UTSA.
Here’s how to catch Alabama (8-2) as it looks to pick up a win in its first-ever meeting with the Fighting Hawks.
What channel is Alabama basketball vs North Dakota today?
TV channel: CBS Sports Network
Streaming: Fubo, Hulu, YouTube TV
Alabama vs. North Dakota will be aired on CBS Sports Network, which can be streamed via Fubo, Hulu and YouTube TV. The event can also be streamed online through the CBS Sports website upon authenticating with select providers.
Alabama basketball vs North Dakota start time
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
Start time: 8 p.m. CT
Alabama and North Dakota will face off at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks, N.D., with a tipoff set for 8 p.m. CT.
Alabama basketball schedule for 2024-25 season
Record: (8-2)
- Nov. 4: UNC-Asheville (W 110-54)
- Nov. 8: Arkansas State (W 88-79)
- Nov. 11: McNeese State (W 72-64)
- Nov. 15: at Purdue (L 87-78)
- Nov. 20: Illinois − C.M. Newton Classic (W 100-87)
- Nov. 26: Houston − Players Era Festival (W 85-80)
- Nov. 27: Rutgers − Players Era Festival (W 95-90)
- Nov. 30: Oregon − Players Era Festival final (L 83-81)
- Dec. 4: at UNC − SEC/ACC Challenge (W 94-79)
- Dec. 14: Creighton (W 83-75)
- Dec. 18: at North Dakota, 8 p.m. CT
- Dec. 22: Kent State, 12 p.m. CT
- Dec. 29: South Dakota State, 2 p.m. CT
- Jan. 4: Oklahoma, 5 p.m. CT
- Jan. 8: at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT
- Jan. 11: at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. CT
- Jan. 14: Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT
- Jan. 19: at Kentucky, 11 a.m. CT
- Jan. 21: Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT
- Jan. 25: LSU, 7:30 p.m. CT
- Jan. 29: at Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
- Feb. 1: Georgia, 11 a,m./1 or 3 p.m. CT
- Feb. 8: at Arkansas, 7 p.m. CT
- Feb. 11: at Texas, 8 p.m. CT
- Feb. 15: Auburn, 3 p.m. CT
- Feb. 19: at Missouri, 8 p.m. CT
- Feb. 22: Kentucky, 5 p.m. CT
- Feb. 25: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
- Mar. 1: at Tennessee, 12 or 3 p.m. CT
- Mar. 5: Florida, 6 p.m. CT
- Mar. 8: at Auburn, 1 p.m. CT
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
Alabama
Alabama football lands first transfer portal addition: Former Florida DL Kelby Collins
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama landed its first transfer portal commitment of the winter window on Tuesday evening when Florida defensive lineman Kelby Collins announced his commitment to the Tide. Collins, a former four-star recruit from Gardendale, Ala., has two years of eligibility remaining and will be counted on as an instant impact player for Alabama’s 2025 defense.
In two years at Florida, Collins recorded 29 tackles, three sacks and 15 quarterback hurries in 18 career games.
Roll tide😁
— Kelby Collins (@kelby_collins) December 18, 2024
What does this mean for Alabama?
Collins, 6 feet 4 and 278 pounds, was a budding star at Florida in 2023 with 23 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a forced fumble en route to being named to the All-SEC freshman team and The Athletic’s freshman All-America team. He wasn’t as productive in 2024 with just six tackles in six games, but the potential is there.
Collins’ path is similar to current defensive lineman LT Overton — a highly ranked prospect who committed to another program over Alabama out of high school but landed with the Tide the second time around. It’s indicative of the new college football landscape and the importance of relationships, where losing a recruiting battle in high school doesn’t completely close the door with the portal.
Most of Alabama’s staff wasn’t with the program in 2023, but position coach Freddie Roach remains and was a key component in getting Collins to Tuscaloosa. The Overton addition was beneficial for Alabama this season, and there is hope that Collins can produce something similar in 2025.
Roll tide😁
— Kelby Collins (@kelby_collins) December 18, 2024
Collins’ commitment fills a glaring need for the 2025 defense on the defensive line. The Tide could lose their entire starting unit with Overton, Tim Keenan, Tim Smith and Jah-Marien Latham all possibly moving on to the NFL after this season. Collins’ physical profile fits the bandit position (where Overton and Latham play) as the defensive end with pass-rush responsibilities.
Collins’ production is encouraging, and he will join rising star James Smith on a defensive line that will look much different next season.
With Collins’ commitment and Jaylen Mbakwe and Danny Lewis Jr. returning to the team, Alabama is at 85 total scholarships entering 2025. That number includes current Alabama players who have yet to make NFL decisions.
Collins likely will not be the final portal addition. Alabama is looking to add at several positions, including at wide receiver, on the offensive and defensive lines and at linebacker.
(Photo: Matt Pendleton / USA Today)
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