An American first and foremost, that's what Nina Davuluri said after her win. She made history at the Miss America pageant, held Sunday as she was not only the first Indian-American to be crowned Miss America, but is also the first Telugu girl to be given the title.
She was Miss York at the pageant, which has 50 participants from each state of America vying for the crown. Her crowing has bridged communities further in America, speaking on which, Nina said she is happy that this organization embraced diversity.
"I'm thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America,” she commented from New Jersey's Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. A girl hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Nina had noted that she considers herself an American first, responding to Twitter comments that did not take well to an Indian taking the crown.
This year, Miss America was celebrating 'diversity through cultural competency', wherein a range of contestants were encouraged to participate. With her $50,000 winnings, she plans to attend medical college.
Nina is the second consecutive Miss New York to win the Miss America title after Mallory Hagan. To win the crown, Nina performed to a Bollywood dance fusion and impressed judges with her answer to a question on plastic surgery. As per her answer, she only supports natural, God given appearance.
Incidentally, she appeared distracted when her dance routine was announced. She had to be prompted twice. Still, she managed to win their hearts and votes at the Miss America 2014 pageant.
(AW: Sruthi)
