Newly crowned Miss America, 24 year-old Nina Davuluri is from the state of New York and aspires to be a doctor. But it isn't her wholesome ambitions that have put her in the limelight and caused outrage (in 140 characters or less) - it's that she is of Indian origin.
After promoting diversity on the Miss American stage, usually saturated with bright white smiles and brilliant blonde hair, Davuluri performed a Bollywood dance and was subsequently branded an Arab terrorist on Twitter.
Mistaking being foreign for being Arab, hundreds of tweeters took to the social media site to broadcast their anger at her victory.
One user tweeted: "It's called Miss America! Get outta here New York you look like a terrorist. #bye #americanforamerican"
Inspirational use of hashtag aside, hundreds of tweets in a similar vein flooded in shortly after Davuluri was crowned.
"Are you serious??!!! The Arab wins??!!! This is missAMERICA!! Not miss Arabia!!! Miss Kansas is in the army and is a country girl!!! C'mon" one tweeter twittered, referencing Miss Kansas, the runner up in the competition.
@JAyres15 chimed in: "I swear I'm not rascist but this is America."
@ABC2020 said: "nice slap in the face to the people of 9-11 how pathetic #missamerica", linking the beauty pagent to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Meanwhile, @ColtonSEvans had the following to say about Davuluri's Bollywood dance: "Egypt dancing? This is America. #MissAmerica."
Doing no favours to the US' reputation, @SHANN__Wow asked: "Miss America right now or Miss Al Qaeda?"
Also believing that being Indian equates to being a paid-up member of Al Qaeda was @Blayne_MkItRain, who tweeted: "Congratulations Al Qaeda. Our Miss America is one of you."
Luckily, faith in humanity was partially restored as not all those tweeting were opposed to Miss Davuluri and called out those being racist.
@CJLovebug tweeted: "This world is so ignorant. #MissAmerican Indian or not had every right to win the title of MissAmerica. This is why I was to leave America!"
#Sigh.
