Nina Davuluri: Miss America hit with Racist Tweets Tainting Victory of Indian-Origin Beauty

Nina Davuluri has been targeted by racist trolls on Twitter in the wake of her Miss America victory.

The New York based beauty, who made history after becoming the first woman of Indian descent to win the annual pageant, faced intense racist abuse from users who accused her of not being American and urged her to leave the country.

Users of the social networking site claimed that Davuluri was an "Arab" and "terrorist" and did not deserve to win the crown. Some called her Miss Terrorist and others dubbed her Miss Al-Qaida.

One said: "And the Arab wins Miss America. Classic," while another posted: "How the **** does a foreigner win Miss America? She is a Arab!"

A third user said: "Well they just picked a Muslim for Miss America" and another added: "It's called Miss America, Get outta here New York you look like a terrorist."

Amid the backlash, Questlove, drummer for The Roots rushed to her defence tweeting: "I think its amazing that @NinaDavuluri was crowned Miss America. THIS is the american story."

Davuluri was born in Syracuse, New York and grew up in Oklahoma and Michigan. Her parents moved to the US from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh in 1981.

The former Miss New York said she plans to ignore the racists saying: "I have to rise above that. I've always viewed myself as first and foremost American."

During the competition Davuluri competed on a theme of 'Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency' and impressed judges with a classic Bollywood-style dance.

"I'm so happy this organization has embraced diversity," she said during her victory press conference.

"I'm thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America."

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