By Vi-An Nguyen, Parade
There she is! Sunday night, Miss New York, Nina Davuluri, was crowned Miss America 2014. The 24-year-old beauty bested 52 other contestants, one from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, after two hours of swimsuit, evening gown, talent, and interview competitions that aired from Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Sunday night, Miss New York, Nina Davuluri, was crowned Miss America 2014. Photo from Getty Images.
Below, check out five interesting facts about the 87th Miss America.
1. She’s “making history.”
The last two contestants standing at the end of the competition were Davuluri and Miss California, Crystal Lee, who became the first runner-up. Before the winner was announced, Davuluri said into the microphone: “We’re both so proud. We’re making history right here, standing here as Asian-Americans.”
She was right: Davuluri is the first Miss America of Indian heritage. She was born in Syracuse, New York, to Indian parents.
“I’m so happy this organization has embraced diversity,” Davuluri said in a press conference after her win. “I’m thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America.”
Davuluri is also the second consecutive Miss New York to win the Miss America crown, succeeding Mallory Hagan. And exactly 30 years ago, in 1983, Vanessa Williams became the first black Miss America.
2. She has already faced controversy.
Davuluri’s win quickly drew congratulations via social media—but also triggered a slew of racist remarks on Twitter from people angry that a woman of Indian descent had won Miss America.
But the winner, whose pageant platform is “celebrating diversity through cultural competency,” didn’t seem bothered. “I have to rise above that,” she said. “I always viewed myself as first and foremost American.”
Read the full list by Vi-An Nguyen from Parade.
