MISS AMERICA 2014 - NINA DAVULURI

Twenty-four-year-old Miss New York Nina Davuluri on Monday became the first contestant of Indian-origin to win the prestigious Miss America pageant (87^th) after wooing the judges with a Bollywood fusion dance.  

 

·        Miss California Crystal Lee was the runner-up. Miss Oklahoma Kesley Griswold came in third place.

·        Contestants were judged on evening gowns, lifestyle/fitness, talent, a personal interview and an on-stage question.

·        Davuluri is the second consecutive Miss New York to win the Miss America crown, succeeding Mallory Hagan.

·        She was asked about the wisdom of TV anchor getting plastic surgery on her eyes to alter her appearance.

·        Davuluri said she's against plastic surgery, but said people should make their own choice but be confident in their appearances.

·        She showcased aclassical Bollywood fusion dance piece as her talent.

·        USD 50,000 given as scholarship.

·        Her parents hailed originally from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India

  Indian-origin Miss America target of racism on social media

·        The crowning of the first Miss America of Indian origin sparked a racist reaction on social media today but 24-year-old Nina Davuluri played down the issue, saying she had to "rise above" such things.

·        On Twitter, some users uncharitably referred to Davuluri, the daughter of a gynaecologist who emigrated from India 30 years ago, as an Arab and a terrorist with ties to Al Qaeda.

·        A user with the handle @emi_adkins tweeted, "It's called Miss America. Get outta here New York you look like a terrorist."

·        Some like Luke Brasili sought to link Davuluri's win with the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks in the US. "9/11 was 4 days ago and she gets Miss America?" he tweeted.

·        "Congratulations Al-Qaeda. Our Miss America is one of you," posted @Blayne_MkltRain.

·        Davuluri, who described her performance of a Bollywood-style dance at the Miss America pageant a victory for diversity in the US, appeared unfazed by racism.

·        "I have to rise above that...I always viewed myself as first and foremost American," the New York native told a news conference last night after being crowned.

·        The Jezebel feminist blog denounced the comments against the beauty queen and and said "racists are being racist because Miss America isn't white."

·        Twitter user @CJlovebug posted: "This world is so ignorant. #MissAmerica Indian or not had every right to gain the title of MissAmerica. This is why I want to leave America!"

·       "Stop hating, America. She's one of us..." tweeted Emma Sydney, while @ericatessa wrote: "I think it's fabulous that @NinaDavuluri won #MissAmerica! America is about diversity. Not intolerance."