👸🏾 Nine years ago today, @ninadavuluri made history by becoming the first #IndianAmerican winner of the #MissAmerica pageant. On September 15, 2013, Davuluri represented the state of New York, danced to #OmShantiOm’s “Dhoom Taana,” and fielded questions about The Talk’s Julie Chen getting plastic surgery to look “less Asian.” While #beautypageants have long drawn criticism for being sexist, racist, fatphobic, and outdated, Davuluri’s win heralded an important moment for shifting standards of beauty and who people view as American. Her crowning resulted in racist and colorist reactions, with social media users labeling her a “terrorist,” and saying her win was a “slap in the face to the people of 9/11.” Others said Davuluri wouldn’t have won #MissIndia because she was darker skinned. Davuluri has since become an outspoken advocate against #colorism and harmful #beauty standards. In a 2022 @tedxberkeley talk, she admitted she herself had contributed to some of these standards. Reflecting on her journey since winning Miss America, Davuluri said, “These beauty standards can’t survive if the collective culture rejects them...believing that we are enough as we are is the greatest power we can give ourselves.” Swipe right to see #NinaDavuluri’s winning dance, the moment she won, and an excerpt from her talk 👉🏾 Do you remember this historic moment?