The winner of the Miss Alabama 2024 beauty contest has hit back at vile, fatphobic trolls who called her “unhealthy” and an “elephant”, telling fans, “you are more than the evil things people say about your body”. Sara Milliken, 23, the winner of this year’s Miss Alabama pageant, explained that taking the crown had been “a dream that has been eight years in the making”, but she had felt “hurt” after being trolled for being plus-size. “Even something that you type over a screen can have a lasting impression on people,” she told local news station after her win.
“I’ll be honest, it got to me for about five minutes...
Their words can hurt, even if it is online.” She added: “Even though I’m not at that point, it can lead people to do some very dark things to themselves.” Milliken’s victory was her third attempt at the contest, which says it welcomes entrants of “varying heights, weights and appearances” and wants to celebrate “special and unique individuals”.
Despite the trolling Milliken was subjected to, which was widespread, she explained that she’s glad she met “so many amazing and accomplished women”, with many social media commenters full of praise after her win. “Great to finally not see some 100lb, blonde hair, blue eyes, who wants world peace win! Congrats to Alabama and this Queen!” One commenter wrote. Milliken added in a heartfelt post that she hoped her win would inspire “other girls and women to chase their.
