Sara Milliken recently made headlines after winning the title of Miss Alabama at the National American Miss pageant—a moment that should have been a joyful milestone. But instead of just celebrating, she found herself facing a barrage of online bullying aimed at her appearance.

Almost immediately after her win, critics took to social media with cruel comments, calling her things like an “unhealthy embarrassment” and comparing her to fast food mascots. But Milliken isn’t backing down.

“Even something typed behind a screen can leave a lasting impact,” she said. “I’m strong, but not everyone is—and words like that can push people into really dark places.”

While the online backlash was loud, so was the support. Fans and strangers alike rushed to defend Milliken, praising her strength, grace, and beauty. One supporter wrote, “You are so beautiful inside and out. Anyone with a heart can see that from a mile away.”

Milliken, who’s gearing up for the national finals this Thanksgiving in Florida, says the criticism did sting—briefly. “I’ll be honest, it got to me for about five minutes,” she said. “But I’ve always wanted to be a voice for positivity, and now I have that chance.”

Her win didn’t come easy—it was her third time competing. Over Memorial Day Weekend, she stood out in interviews, volunteer work, and presentations, earning high scores for her confidence, communication, and personality. The National American Miss pageant prides itself on celebrating real, diverse beauty—including different body types, braces, glasses, and more.

At first, Milliken was shocked by how much attention her win received. But since then, her social media has blown up, and she’s been flooded with messages of support, as well as offers of gowns and beauty products for her next competition.

“No matter what you look like or where you come from, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to,” Milliken said. “And meeting all the incredible, accomplished women at the pageant was the real highlight.”

Though she’s handled the negativity with grace, Milliken knows others might not be so resilient. She hopes her story reminds people of the power of kindness—and just how damaging online hate can be.

Her message is clear: Confidence comes in all shapes and sizes, and nobody should be made to feel small for daring to shine.