Davuluri is booked for speaking at meets through spring 2015.
By The American Bazaar Staff
NEW YORK: Miss America Nina Davuluri ended her one-year reign on Sunday, handing her crown to the New Miss America, Miss New York Kira Kazantsev, the daughter of Russian immigrants, who grew up in California.
Davuluri, 25, of Fayetteville, was in bigger demand for interviews and appearances than any other Miss America, organizers have said, reported The Post Standard. She traveled more than 186,000 miles over the past year, and spent some time in the United Kingdom.
In her first two months, she traveled to 26 different locations, visited New York nine different times and Washington, DC three times. She also made more than 30 television appearances during her first few months, and has continued to shows such as “Extreme Weight Loss” and “The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson.”
NBC News reported that Davuluri beat out 52 contestants for the 2014 title with a Bollywood-inspired dance performance and a platform of “Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency.”
The Post-Standard report pointed out the highlight of her being crowned Miss America: a tirade of racial abuse hurled against her on the social media, in both the US and India, questioning her ‘dark complexion’ and incredulity at her being chosen the champion in a contest full of blonde hair and blue-eyed beauties, the traditional winners at such pageants. However, there was also a well of support for Davuliri, whose parents are originally from Andhra Pradesh.
“Though her win was marred with an online barrage of racist tweets and social comments — questioning Davuluri’s American identity and incorrectly calling her Arab and Muslim — the 24-year-old met her first challenge wearing the crown with grace and aplomb, rising above fray and focusing on her year ahead,” said NBC.
Davuluri said she never felt she could be Miss America because “I didn’t look like the stereotypical Miss America.” She turned the negative remarks into a chance to talk about stereotypes.
“Unfortunately, I was prepared,” said Davuluri. “However, I can honestly say that for every one negative tweet, comment, or post, there were hundreds if not thousands of people who had positive words of encouragement and support all across the country and world for that matter.”
The Post-Standard also pointed out the controversy that brewed over a prom proposal she received from a Pennsylvania high school student, who was later suspended for his mischief. School officials heard that student Patrick Farves was planning to make the proposal and told him not to do it. When he did, he was suspended for three days. Davuluri asked school officials to reconsider on the Miss America organization’s Facebook page.
Davuluri originally planned to become a doctor after being Miss America like her father. However, in April, she revealed a change in plans for her future career. She now wants to pursue an MBA in international relations.
Another highlight said the report was a show created for Davuluri. Fashion designer Tony Bowls, who designs all the evening gowns for the Miss America pageant, designed a shoe for her. “The Nina” is a nude high heel with a 6.25″ heel and a 2″ platform.
Apart from attending myriad events in New York, and especially in her home town of Syracuse, Davuluri also went to the White House to meet President Obama, to New York City to host the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, to Las Vegas to talk about tourism, to MetLife Stadium to attend the Super Bowl and to Washington, DC to sing “God Bless America” at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. She has also given talks on the importance of STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
NBC said Davuluri doesn’t actually remember the most memorable moment of her Miss America pageant.
Before she was even named the winner, Davuluri seemed to know the significance ahead as she stood with fellow contestant and finalist Miss California, Crystal Lee. At the time, she said “We’re both so proud. We’re making history right here, standing as Asian Americans.” But as she thinks back to “The Moment” — as her name was called, as a sea of faces celebrated her, as the crown was placed on her head? “I honestly don’t remember the actual crowning moment,” said Davuluri. “It was such a blur!”
Davuluri is also proud of her Indian heritage, and she won by celebrating, not playing down, her Indian heritage, with the hope of sending a message to other young, minority women.
“I came into this organization wanting to change the face of who Miss America was,” said Davuluri. “It was so timely for this organization to finally reach out to a new demographic of young women that is representative of America today. I hope this encourages young women to embrace their ethnicities and cultural heritage.”
Born and raised in New York, Davuluri spent two early years of her life in India, and believes finding balance between both cultures is a lifelong process.
“I’m very blessed to have a family that was always supportive and encouraging of my dreams,” said Davuluri. “The biggest thing I’ve learned through this experience is that assimilation has to happen from both sides. It has been a constantly evoloving journey in my household.”
Her reign may be over, but Davuluri remains as popular as ever on the speaking circuit. She already has speaking engagements and appearances booked through spring 2015. On September 28, she will host a reception honoring the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.