The newly crowned Miss America has received vile Twitter abuse expressing anger a "terrorist", "foreigner" and "Muslim" won - despite the fact she is a Hindu-practising American of Indian descent.
Nina Davuluri took the title in Atlantic City on Sunday night and thanked the organisers who she said had "embraced diversity".
Entrants this year included a tattooed army veteran and a woman without part of her lower arm
A number of Twitter users did not share her enthusiasm.
Outspoken right-wing Fox News commentator, Todd Starnes, suggested Davuluri "didn't represent American values" - which he then helpfully outlined.
Thankfully however, for every ignorant tweet there were many more others who defended Davuluri who is the first woman of Indian descent to win the contest.
Davuluri won the competition with a routine that included a Bollywood fusion dance.
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Addressing the abuse after her win she said: "I have to rise above that. I always viewed myself as first and foremost American."
She intends to use her prize money to study at medical school, reports the Evening Standard.