Sara Milliken, the newly crowned Miss Alabama in the National American Miss pageant, faced intense criticism online due to her plus-sized appearance. Despite her joy at winning, she endured hurtful comments questioning her fitness for a beauty pageant.

“Even something that you type over a screen can have a lasting impression on people,” Milliken shared with WKRG, highlighting the impact of cyberbullying. However, she remains resilient, preparing for the national final in Florida.

Among the negative remarks, one commenter sneered, “I thought it was a beauty pageant,” while another mocked, “Is that actually considered attractive in Alabama?”

Yet, Milliken found overwhelming support from people like Tracie Stephens-Brooks, who described her as a “beautiful obese diva with style, sass, and a lot of class.” The pageant aims to celebrate diverse beauty, focusing on “personality, confidence, and communication.”

Despite the initial backlash, Milliken gained global support and social media followers overnight. She emphasized the importance of kindness, urging others to ignore cyberbullying.

Her victory resonates beyond the crown: “No matter what your body looks like, no matter where you come from, you can do anything you set your mind to,” Milliken affirmed.