In a world where social media can elevate a star to a star overnight, it can just as quickly become a weapon of mass disparagement.
Sara Milliken, whose National American Miss victory should be a moment of joy and celebration, faces exactly this duality. Instead, her triumph was marred by a disturbing wave of vicious online criticism.
After her win in the Miss Alabama pageant, the spotlight that once shined brightly on Milliken was quickly overshadowed by the derogatory remarks of internet trolls who called her an “unhealthy disgrace.”
Despite the negativity, Milliken remains steadfast in her commitment to promoting body positivity and acceptance. In her eyes, even seemingly harmless comments can cause significant harm and lead some to make troubling decisions about their self-worth. The vitriol directed at her focused not only on her physical appearance, comparing her to fast food mascots, but also questioned her legitimacy in the beauty pageant arena.
Sara Milliken and her supporters were delighted when she won the National American Miss pageant, a huge achievement. But an outpouring of hateful comments about her appearance online quickly overshadowed her happiness.
After winning the Miss Alabama pageant, Milliken received derogatory remarks from online trolls who called her an “unhealthy disgrace”.
Despite the criticism, Milliken is steadfast in her pursuit of body positivity and acceptance.
Even words printed on a screen, in Milliken’s opinion, can have a profound effect on people, “which can lead people to do very dark things to themselves, even though I’m not at that point.”
Among the offensive comments were those mocking her resemblance to fast-food restaurant mascots and questioning her suitability for a beauty pageant.
Milliken’s fans rallied to support her, praising her character and appeal despite the abuse.
Some praised her for her achievements and positive impact, saying, “Anyone with any values ​​and/or humanity can see that from a mile away – you’re so beautiful inside and out.”
Milliken is spending Thanksgiving weekend preparing for the national finals in Florida, determined not to let the sharp comments stop her.
“To be honest, I got it for about five minutes,” the woman said. Their comments can cause harm even when posted online.
I always wanted to spread optimism and this put me in that position.
In this contest, which aims to highlight natural beauty and promote positive self-esteem, Milliken won after three attempts.
She participated in a series of interviews, volunteer work, and presentations over the Memorial Day weekend.
She scored in the areas of communication, self-confidence, and personality. The pageant organizers emphasize the value of recognizing different looks in their lyrics: “Eyes, glasses, skin problems, different heights, weights, and looks are all part of making you the special and unique individual that you are, and we want to celebrate that. .”
Just hours after the win, Milliken gained thousands of new followers on social media thanks to an unexpected outpouring of support.
Sara Milliken’s journey from triumph to turmoil illustrates the duality of modern fame, especially in the realms of beauty pageants and social media. Although she achieved a major milestone by winning the National American Miss pageant, the hateful comments that followed reveal a darker side of public scrutiny.
Still, rather than succumb to negativity, Milliken stands firm in her commitment to body positivity and self-acceptance, reminding us that true beauty goes beyond physical appearance.Â
Her determination to use her platform for good is commendable as she focuses on spreading optimism and encouraging others to embrace their unique qualities. The support she received from fans serves as a testament to the community’s strength in fighting negativity.
As she prepares for the national finals in Florida, Milliken embodies resilience, showing that the most profound victories often come not just from recognition, but from the power to rise above criticism and push a message of love and acceptance. Ultimately, her story is a powerful reminder that beauty is diverse and multifaceted, and flourishes when nurtured with kindness and self-love.