Who is the Miss Alabama 2024 winner, Sara Milliken, who was ...

Plus-sized model Sara Milliken recently made waves by winning the Miss Alabama title at the National American Miss pageant over Memorial Day weekend. However, her victory was quickly overshadowed by online trolls who attacked her appearance with cruel comments.

Despite the harsh criticism, Sara is steadfast in her resolve as she prepares for the national finals, which will take place in Florida over Thanksgiving.

Who is Sara Milliken?

Sara has dreamed of becoming Miss Alabama for eight years. This year marked her third attempt at the crown, after competing twice before without winning.

She first entered a National American Miss pageant at the age of 15, fueled by a strong desire to win, but did not place.

"At 16 I came back as a Teen," she said on Instagram.

"I worked so hard and changed everything about myself.

"I became who I thought they wanted. Days before the pageant, I had a mean boy tell me I was 'too ugly' to win. I was going to prove him wrong so I went into pageant weekend with a fire under me. I didn't even place.

"I was humiliated and hung my head low thinking my non-placement meant one thing. He was right. I vowed to never compete again. So I didn't. For seven years.

"This weekend I returned to the NAM stage to prove to myself I didn't give up. I could do this. I was more than the mean things that was said to me."

Her perseverance was finally rewarded with her recent victory. On her Pageant Planet profile, Sara expressed her goal of being the first plus-sized NAM Miss Alabama, aiming to show other women that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.