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According to People magazine, the 28-year-old from New York won the crown on Sept. 7, defeating 52 other delegates at the finale held at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida.

While many celebrated her victory—with videos of her friends’ emotional reactions going viral on TikTok—some users nitpicked her makeup choices. “Makeup artist did her so wrong. She is gorgeous,” one TikTok user wrote.

Another commented: “Something seriously wrong with the judges.” Others came to Donegan’s defense. “To everyone hating… she’s Miss America, and you’re not,” one person wrote.

Another added: “She’s the COO for the company she works for, has established three scholarships, advocates for arts education in schools, sings like a Broadway star, and looks like this. But some of y’all are salty because she’s not ‘pretty enough?’”

In an interview with PeopleDonegan acknowledged that negativity is inevitable in the public eye.

“Often you do have to just pick and choose what you allow yourself to digest,” she said. “Really leaning into those who are lifting me up, loving me and holding me high, and choosing to focus on the positivity that’s happening in the moment.”

Still, she admitted that she is a normal person who is not immune to harsh words.

“No, I don’t want to hear people ever say anything negative, especially about my appearance,” she said. “But I also respect that the internet is a public space and people have the right to their opinion… no one’s going to be everyone’s favorite all of the time.”

The beauty queen added: “At the end of the day, if even just one person has felt touched in some way or seen or loved through me as Miss America, then I’ve done my job.”

According to The Independentas part of her win, Donegan received a US$50,000 tuition scholarship. She also earned an additional US$3,000 after winning the talent competition with her vocal performance.