Miss Michigan wins over Miss America viewers by addressing the Flint water crisis

George Back
·Producer, Yahoo Entertainment

During the introduction segment of Miss America 2019, Emily Sioma, aka Miss Michigan, used her brief moment on network television to advocate for Flint, Mich. The pageant aimed to encourage female empowerment and progressive issues. Sioma certainly delivered.

Since 2014, Flint has suffered from contaminated tap water. While the government has promised to help, other priorities seem to have gotten in the way — so Miss Michigan decided to remind everyone.

Using the few seconds contestants are given to share their personal accomplishments, Sioma instead focused on an issue affecting Michigan. “From the state with 84 percent of the U.S.’s fresh water but none for its residents to drink, I am Miss Michigan, Emily Sioma,” she stated.

Sioma, whose Twitter profile describes her as a “sexual assault survivor” and “activist,” did not advance beyond the introduction phase. But many people appeared to love her response. In fact, some thought she deserved the crown for her statement.

While Sioma appears to have won social media, it should be known that Miss New York, Nia Franklin, took home the crown.

Miss America 2019 aired Sunday, Sept. 9, at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Watch Surprising drama behind the scenes of Kardashian’s Family Feud appearance:

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.