Plus-size Miss Alabama pageant winner Sarah Milliken has responded to trolls who called her an ‘unhealthy embarrassment’
Sarah Milliken, 23, was overjoyed to win the top prize at the National American Miss pageant.
But her happiness didn’t last long, as nasty trolls soon started mocking her over her looks.
‘Even something that you type over a screen can have a lasting impression on people,’ she told WKRG. ‘Even though I’m not at that point, it can lead people to do some very dark things to themselves.’
“I thought it was a beauty pageant.,” Blaine Tom Mirotes made a rude comment.’
An other user said: ‘Is that actually considered attractive in Alabama?’
But on the other hand, a person named Tracy Stephens-Brooks showed kindness and said: ‘To know is to love her. This young lady has a heart of gold and will give anyone in need a helping hand. A beautiful obese diva with style, sass and a lot of class.’
A user named Samantha Thrash Duff wrote: ‘So proud of her! We watched her all weekend and prayed hard that she would come home with that title! She is an amazing, sweet young woman and is going to do great things!;
one other user in support Sarah Milliken, said: ‘Great to finally not see some 100-pound blonde with blue eyes who wants world peace win! Congrats to Alabama and this Queen!’
Now she’s preparing for the national finals in Florida over Thanksgiving, where she’s not going to let the harsh criticism deter her.
‘I’ll be honest, it got to me for about five minutes,’ she said. ‘Their words can hurt, even if they are online.’I’ve always wanted to spread positivity, and this kind of put me in a position to do exactly that.’
Milliken won her third attempt at the competition. She responded to an open invitation and participated in interviews, volunteer work, and demonstrations over Memorial Day weekend.
The organizers said the basis for scoring in the competition is “personality, confidence, and communication.”
Sarah Milliken said she was surprised by the public reaction to her win, but has since received support from around the world, gaining 2,500 followers on her Facebook and Instagram accounts overnight.
‘No matter what your body looks like, no matter where you come from, you can do anything you set your mind to,’ Milliken after her victory.
I met so many beautiful and capable women. It was definitely the best.’
Hundreds of her supporters have since offered her everything, from clothes to thousands of dollars worth of beauty products, to help her get through the next phase. Her inbox is flooded with such offers.
Milliken said she has been able to dust herself off, but it’s not as easy for other victims of cyberbullying, and she urged people to be kind.