Slammed as a 'Terrorist,' New Miss America Nina Davuluri Brushes off Racist Tweets About Indian Heritage
After being slammed as a "terrorist" and mocked on social media with a barrage of racist messages because of her Indian heritage, newly crowned Miss America, 24-year-old Nina Davuluri, is unfazed by the attacks.
"It was an unfortunate experience, but for one negative comment, there were dozens of ... positive remarks and support," Davuluri said during a Fox & Friends interview on Wednesday.
"A lot of that stemmed from ignorance, and that's why my platform is so timely right now," she added.
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The 24-year-old New York woman is the first contestant of Indian descent to win the Miss America pageant and explained that it was an "amazing" experience.
"I have always viewed Miss America as the girl next door, but for me the girl next door's evolving as diversity in America evolves ... [and] to finally be that new face of this organization, and to reach out to younger demographics and let them know that they can truly become anything they want, regardless of their race, their socio-economic status, their religion - I'm living my American dream right now," she said.
The brainy beauty who did her undergraduate degree in "brain behavior and cognitive science" also told ABC's Good Morning America that she is getting ready to apply to medical school and the competition helped her get some money toward that end.
"It's been an amazing opportunity, an incredible experience because this organization is about scholarship and service and I just won $50,000 to further my education," she said.
"I graduated from the University of Michigan and I'm currently applying to medical school so I'm really honored and excited for this opportunity," she noted.
When asked about what the win meant for her, she said: "It's such an honor to promote the educational aspects of it [competition]. It was the first time Bollywood has ever been performed on the Miss America stage and it's such an honor for myself, my family and the Indian community as well."
