Post date: Sep 17, 2013 1:46:33 PM
Racial epithets hit Twitter as Nina Davaluri, an Indian-American, wins Miss America contest.
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES (SEPTEMBER 16, 2013) (NBC) - As twenty-four-year-old Nina Davuluri became the first Indian-American to win the Miss America pageant on Sunday (September 15), a host of racist messages fired off on Twitter.
Davuluri, an aspiring physician, defeated representatives from 49 other states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.At a press conference on Monday (September 16) the aspiring physician said she is "looking forward to having a wonderful year of style and service," and is "so thankful and humbled to have this opportunity."
Almost immediately after Davuluri was crowned, a slew of racist messages appeared on Twitter. One person called her win "disgusting," another tweeted "And the Arab wins Mis America."
The beauty queen performed a Bollywood fusion dance for the talent portion of the competition and was asked about revelations that American television personality Julie Chen had plastic surgery on her eyes during the on-stage question segment. Davuluri answered that she personally was opposed to plastic surgery and said that one's diversity should be celebrated.
The field was narrowed to Davuluri and Miss California Crystal Lee, the first runner-up.
The 93-year-old pageant was televised live by ABC, which picked up the contest again in 2011 after dropping it in 2004 because of a steep ratings decline. Miss America has seen its popularity ebb and flow over its nearly 100-year history and it has been the target of critics who say the pageant format objectifies women.