Miss New York Nina Davuluri won the 2014 Miss America pageant on Sunday, becoming the first Indian-American to wear the crown.
"I'm so happy this organization has celebrated diversity, and, on this stage tonight, there was so much diversity," Davuluri told reporters shortly after defeating contestants from 49 other states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
"I'm so proud to be the first Indian Miss America," the 24-year-old aspiring physician said. It was the second win in a row for Miss New York.
The field was narrowed to Davuluri and Miss California Crystal Lee, the first runner-up. Just before the results were announced, Davuluri said, "We are making history right here as Asian-Americans."
Contestants were judged on a personal interview, a talent demonstration, an on-stage question, and their appearance in evening gowns and swimwear during the two-hour nationally televised event.
Davuluri performed a Bollywood fusion dance and was asked about revelations that American television personality Julie Chen had plastic surgery on her eyes. Davuluri answered that she personally was opposed to plastic surgery and said that one's diversity should be celebrated.
Contestants were judged on a personal interview, a talent demonstration, an on-stage question, and their appearance in evening gowns and swimwear during the two-hour nationally televised event.
Davuluri performed a Bollywood fusion dance and was asked about revelations that American television personality Julie Chen had plastic surgery on her eyes. Davuluri answered that she personally was opposed to plastic surgery and said that one's diversity should be celebrated.
As the winner, Davuluri will receive a $50,000 scholarship. She said she would use the money to pay for graduate school.
Last year's winner, Mallory Hagan from New York, crowned her successor. Several contestants made headlines during preliminary competitions. Miss Iowa, Nicole Kelly, was born without her left forearm and said the competition helped her promote a platform of overcoming disabilities. Theresa Vail, Miss Kansas and a sergeant in the Army National Guard, became the first contestant to display tattoos.
Last year's winner, Mallory Hagan from New York, crowned her successor. Several contestants made headlines during preliminary competitions. Miss Iowa, Nicole Kelly, was born without her left forearm and said the competition helped her promote a platform of overcoming disabilities. Theresa Vail, Miss Kansas and a sergeant in the Army National Guard, became the first contestant to display tattoos.
The 93-year-old beauty pageant returned to its hometown of Atlantic City, New Jersey, this year after an eight-year stretch in Las Vegas.
No sooner had the tiara been placed atop her head then a barrage of racist tweets flooded the Internet.
"If you're #Miss America you should have to be American," said one.
"WHEN WILL A WHITE WOMAN WIN #MISSAMERICA? Ever??!!" screamed another.
Nina Davuluri is American. She just happens to be of Indian descent. In fact, she's the first Indian-American to be crowned Miss America. But the tweets that followed the 2014 pageant in Atlantic City on Sunday night didn't focus on how it's the second consecutive year that a Miss New York has taken the crown, or about the judge's questions (including ones about Miley Cyrus and Syria).
They were about Davuluri's heritage.
"The liberal Miss America judges won't say this - but Miss Kansas lost because she actually represented American values. #missamerica." That was Todd Starnes, host of Fox News and Commentary.
"Well they just picked a Muslim for Miss America. That must've made Obama happy. Maybe he had a vote," vented another person.
Not that it bears pointing out, but Davuluri's not a Muslim -- and the president didn't have a vote.
The 24-year-old Davuluri, who's from Syracuse, competed on a platform of "Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency." For the talent portion, she performed a classical Indian dance fused with Bollywood moves.
"Miss America? You mean Miss 7-11," tweeted Jalin Leatherman, perpetuating the tired stereotype about Indians and convenience stores.
"Well they just picked a Muslim for Miss America. That must've made Obama happy. Maybe he had a vote," vented another person.
Not that it bears pointing out, but Davuluri's not a Muslim -- and the president didn't have a vote.
The 24-year-old Davuluri, who's from Syracuse, competed on a platform of "Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency." For the talent portion, she performed a classical Indian dance fused with Bollywood moves.
"Miss America? You mean Miss 7-11," tweeted Jalin Leatherman, perpetuating the tired stereotype about Indians and convenience stores.
Davuluri's father is a physician. And she wants to be one too. She once battled bulimia, according to a profile of her on syracuse.com. Being a trailblazer isn't easy. When Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA in 2010, she faced a nasty backlash as well. Fakih is of Lebanese descent, and many were quick to try to link her to the militant group Hezbollah. In Davuluri's case, many tweeters wasted no time connecting her to terrorism.
"Miss America right now or miss Al Qaeda?" tweeted Shannon McCann.
"9/11 was 4 days ago and she gets miss America?" posted Luke Brasili.
For her part, Davuluri didn't immediately respond. But many, turned off by the reaction, turned off Twitter and turned in for the night.
"I'm not going to click on #MissAmerica. I could do without a whole bunch of racism directed at brown people right now. Thanks," tweeted Josh Shahryar.
But there were plenty who came to her defense.
"i think its amazing that @NinaDavuluri was crowned Miss America. THIS is the american story," tweeted drummer Questlove.
And finally, there were those who tweeted variations on "Deal with it!"
"meanwhile in America, our country's citizens have officially reached their lowest point. #MissAmerica is Indian; GET OVER IT," wrote Mariah Contreras.
"i think its amazing that @NinaDavuluri was crowned Miss America. THIS is the american story," tweeted drummer Questlove.
And finally, there were those who tweeted variations on "Deal with it!"
"meanwhile in America, our country's citizens have officially reached their lowest point. #MissAmerica is Indian; GET OVER IT," wrote Mariah Contreras.
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