A MISS Alabama beauty pageant winner has lashed out at trolls who called her unhealthy.
Plus-size model Sara Milliken, 23, won the title over Memorial Day weekend but was branded an embarrassment online.
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She received a barrage of criticism from cruel trolls.
One hater claimed that Milliken, who was competing for the third time in the event, was extremely unhealthy and an embarrassment to Alabama.
But she has since responded to her critics.
“’Even something you type on the screen can make a lasting impression on people,’ she told the CBS affiliate WKRG-TV.
“Even if I’m not at that point, it can lead people to do very dark things to themselves.”
Milliken said some of the abuse hurled at her was disgusting.
She admitted that the hate hit her for about five minutes, but revealed that she didn’t want to worry about what the haters posted.
In a social media post, she asked people to spread kindness.
Milliken said she is blessed to be living her dream.
She will now compete in the national final that will take place in Orlando, in November.
She revealed that winning the NAM Miss Alabama pageant was an eight-year dream.
Milliken was surprised by her success as she admitted her goal was to be in the top 10.
“Just getting [the] top 10 was my goal, you know, I could come out of the weekend saying I was better than the year before, and it’s all about getting better for me,” she told WKRG.
In it Contest Planet profile, Milliken revealed that she wanted to be the first plus-size NAM Miss Alabama.
“I aim to break glass ceilings in pageantry to create a path for other women to pursue their dreams – no matter their shape or size,” she said.
Milliken admitted that when she was younger she competed in beauty pageants just for the title and glamour.
Even something you type on the screen can make a lasting impression on people
Sara Milliken
She returned to beauty pageants after a seven-year retirement.
Milliken paid tribute to her predecessor Alexandria Joseph, who won the 2023 NAM Miss Alabama gong.
She congratulated her on her reign and said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better person to place this crown on my head and I have so much love for her too.”
Emily Zawodny, NAM’s Miss Ohio, revealed she can’t wait to see Milliken in the finals in Orlando.
“You have an amazing year ahead of you,” she said in a sweet social media post.
Milliken appears on the Girls Gotta Glow podcast and won the President’s Service Award.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
