<P> A few years later, Vanessa Williams (Miss New York 1983) won the title of Miss America 1984 on September 17, 1983, making her the first African American woman to wear the crown . Williams later commented that she was one of five minority contestants that year, noting that ballet dancer Deneen Graham "had already had a cross burned on her front yard because she was the first black Miss North Carolina (1983)." She also pointed out that "Suzette Charles was the first runner - up, and she was biracial . But when the press started, when I would go out on the--on the tour and do my appearances, and people would come up and say they never thought they'd see the day that it would happen; when people would want to shake my hand, and you'd see tears in their eyes, and they'd say, I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime--that's when, you know, it was definitely a very special honor ." Williams' reign as Miss America was not without its challenges and controversies, however . For the first time in pageant history, a reigning Miss America was the target of death threats and hate mail . Williams was forced to resign seven weeks prior to the end of her time as Miss America, however, after the unauthorized publication of nude photos in Penthouse . First runner - up, Miss New Jersey 1983, Suzette Charles replaced her for the final weeks of Williams' reign . </P> <P> In 1985, Miss Utah 1984, Sharlene Wells Hawkes, became the first foreign - born, bilingual Miss America, as she was born in Asunción, Paraguay . Miss Alabama 1994, Heather Whitestone, won the 1995 pageant becoming the first deaf Miss America (she lost most of her hearing at the age of 18 months). At the Miss America 1999 pageant held on September 19, 1998, Nicole Johnson (Miss Virginia 1998) became the first Miss America with diabetes and the first contestant to publicize an insulin pump . Around the same time, Miss America officials announced they had lifted the ban on contestants who were divorced or had had an abortion . This rule change, however, was rescinded and Miss America CEO Robert L. Beck, who had suggested it, was fired . Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss Hawaii 2000, was crowned Miss America 2001, thereby becoming the first Asian - American, the first Filipino - American, as well as the first teacher ever to win the pageant . </P> <P> A few years later, the Miss America 2005 pageant held on September 18, 2004, would be the last one televised live on ABC (which dropped the pageant after this broadcast, as it "drew a record - low 9.8 million viewers") and the last one held in Atlantic City for ten years . Miss Alabama 2004, Deidre Downs, reigned as Miss America four months longer than usual as the Miss America 2006 pageant was moved to a January broadcast at the Las Vegas Strip's Theatre for the Performing Arts (Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino). It was also broadcast live on MTV Networks' Country Music Television . After two years, the pageant moved to TLC (the former Learning Channel). The Miss America 2011 pageant held on January 15, 2011, showcased Miss New York 2010, Claire Buffie, (the first Miss America contestant to advocate a gay - rights platform) and Miss Delaware 2010, Kayla Martell, (the first bald contestant). ABC also resumed broadcasting the pageant with the 2011 competition . The Miss America 2013 pageant, held on January 12, 2013, was the last one to take place in Las Vegas . Miss New York 2012, Mallory Hagan, won the competition but only served for eight months as the pageant moved back to its former broadcast slot in September 2013 Miss Montana 2012, Alexis Wineman, ("America's Choice" winner) was the pageant's first autistic contestant . </P> <P> With the Miss America 2014 pageant, held on September 15, 2013, the competition returned to Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey . Miss New York (Nina Davuluri) won the title of Miss America . Davuluri was also the first Indian - American and second Asian - American to win the crown . Shortly after her win, however, Davuluri became the target of xenophobic and racist comments in social media relating the proximity of the event date to the 9 / 11 anniversary and to anti-Indian sentiment . News agencies cited tweets that misidentified her as Muslim or Arab, associated her with groups such as Al - Qaeda, and questioned why she was chosen over Miss Kansas 2013, Theresa Vail, (a soldier who won the "America's Choice" award and was the first contestant to display tattoos during the swimsuit competition). Davuluri said that she was prepared for this backlash because "as Miss New York, I was called a terrorist and very similar remarks", and Vail denounced the social media backlash, offering her support to Davuluri . In addition, a torn ACL and MCL forced Miss Florida 2013, Myrrhanda Jones, to perform her baton routine with a decorated leg brace, while Nicole Kelly (Miss Iowa 2013) was the first contestant without a forearm to compete in the pageant . </P>

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