A MISS Alabama beauty queen has admitted that she was affected by the overwhelming amount of hate she received after scooping up the pageant win.
Sara Milliken, a plus-sized model and cosmetologist, won the coveted title in the National American Miss competition over Memorial Day weekend but was blasted over social media by cruel trolls.
Instagram/ thenamalmissPlus-sized Miss Alabama Sara Milliken has admitted she was affected by the cruel comments from trolls[/caption]
Instagram/ thenamalmissShe recently won the National American Miss title during the Memorial Day weekend competition[/caption]
Instagram/ thenamalmissMilliken was blasted on social media by cruel trolls after her win[/caption]
Milliken, 23, had been competing in the competition for the third time after first participating when she was 15.
While many people offered up congratulations and support for the winner, others harshly criticized her appearance online.
“Is that actually considered attractive in Alabama?” one social media user wrote.
“I thought it was a beauty pageant,” another said.
A third chimed in saying, “This should have been (M)iss Jack in the Box winner,” referring to the fast food chain.
Some even accused Milliken of being a “satanist” claiming that she “really inverted beauty.”
“You’re gonna be like one of the devils top guys,” the cruel troll wrote in a message sent to the pageant queen.
Even former Miss Alabama pageant winner Amie Beth Shaver from the Miss America competition blasted the recent win.
In a June 5 interview with CBS affiliate WKRG-TV, Milliken revealed she was impacted by the harsh comments at first.
“I’ll be honest, it got to me for about five minutes,” she told the outlet.
However, she revealed that she soon began to grow a larger following on social media due to the attention, saying it was “the biggest blessing.”
“Their words can hurt,” the pageant winner said.
“Even if it is online. Even something that you type over a screen can have a lasting impression on people.”
She previously said in an Instagram post that before entering the Miss Alabama contest, she was prepared for harsh critiques.
“I knew there would be critics. I knew there would be hatred,” she wrote.
What did Former Miss Alabama Amie Beth Shaver say?
Shaver won the Miss Alabama title in the Miss America competition in 1994
“I don’t even know what it is,” Shaver said of the National American Miss competition when speaking to 1819 News.
“Miss America now is 101 years old and then Miss USA, which goes on the Miss Universe pageant,” Shaver argued.
“But this National American Miss, no one has heard of it. I don’t even know what it is.
“If you are a pageant person, you’re only going to participate in either Miss America or Miss USA.”
“That doesn’t make it right but it is something I’ve mentally prepared myself for eight years now.
“More than anything I just wish people could find something more interesting to do or something more interesting to talk about.”
Milliken vowed to continue her passions and goals despite the cruel comments.
“The things that has been said about me is truly disgusting and I cannot fathom how people think it’s okay to say these things,” she said.
Their words can hurt. Even if it is online. Even something that you type over a screen can have a lasting impression on people.
Sara Milliken
“I could hide my face … I could even give in and give up my title.
“But instead I say WATCH ME.
“Watch me serve my community. Watch me give my all into preparing for nationals.
“You are more than the evil things people say about your body.”
Milliken is set to compete at the National American Miss contest in Orlando, Florida, in November.
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