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10 things you did not know about Miss America Nina Davuluri

September 16, 2013 22:10 IST

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Image: Miss America Nina Davuluri takes a dip In the Atlantic Ocean after being crowned Miss America 2014 at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on September 16 in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Photographs: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Miss America Nina Davuluri made history on Sunday after she became the first winner of Indian heritage to win the crown.

Her family back in India and the whole nation was as ecstatic as the beauty queen was after she won the pageant, but America was certainly not happy. She sparked a flood of racist remarks on Twitter; was even seen trending on the micro-blogging website.

The new Miss America is somebody many “relate to”, as she herself said after being crowned. Here’s why. And a few other interesting facts you did not know about the Indian-American beauty queen.         

Nina's origins can be traced back to Vijaywada, Andhra Prasesh. Her family immigrated from India 30 years ago.

She grew up in Fayetteville, New York just east of Syracus, where she still resides. 

Her grandmother still lives in Vijaywada.

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Image: Nina Davuluri performs in the evening gown portion of the 2014 Miss America Competition at Boardwalk Hall Arena
Photographs: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Nina graduated in 2012 from the University of Michigan with a degree in brain behaviour and cognitive science.

She plans to apply to medical school and pursue a career as a physician.

Image: Nina Davuluri performs in the 2014 Miss America Competition at Boardwalk Hall Arena
Photographs: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Nina has won $50,000 (about Rs 32lakh) scholarship as part of the pageant title.

She will use the money to apply to medical school.

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Nina Davuluri Miss America
Image: Nina Davuluri performs in the talent portion of the 2014 Miss America competition
Photographs: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Nina is a classically trained dancer. Her family regularly traveled to Vijayawada where she studied both Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dance.

Image: Choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan in California
Photographs: Alberto E Rodriguez/Getty Images

Nina’s Bollywood fusion dance routine for the beauty pageant was choreographed by the famous So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan

Image: Nina Davuluri answers a question from host Lara Spencer during the contest
Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Nina had a weight problem and suffered from bulimia. When she was anxious, she would eat excessively. She lost nearly 30 kilos to get back in shape. 

She told the Syracuse Post-Standard that she struggled with bulimia and her own weight, even saying she hated the word "skinny.

Image: Miss America Mallory Hagan appears in the Miss America Competition at Boardwalk Hall Arena
Photographs: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Ironically, Nina created quite a stir when she was caught on tape calling last year's Miss America winner Mallory Hagan “fat as f***”

Hagan, was also a winner from New York, like Nina.

Image: Vanessa Williams at the Barrow Street Theatre in New York City
Photographs: Rob Kim/Getty Images

Thirty years ago, actress and singer Vanessa Williams also a fellow former Miss Syracuse like Nina was crowned Miss America, reports The Aerogram.

Williams’ win was also historic, as she was the first African American Miss America.

Image: Nina Davuluri performs in the bathing suit portion of the 2014 Miss America contest
Photographs: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

During the beauty pageant on Sunday Nina missed a cue, but still went on to win the crown.

She distractedly applauded for herself when her name was called during the talent portion of the show, The Huffington Post reports.

"Next up for talent is Miss New York," host Lara Spencer announced. Nina continued applauding, so another contestant hopped up and ran forward instead.

Spencer again declared, "Miss New York, you are up... Miss New York, you are up!"


Photographs: Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/NinaDavuluriMNY/

Nina is a huge fan of Star Trek, Star Wars and anything sci-fi.

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