ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The new Miss America won her crown after singing a Pharrell Williams song while playing with a red plastic cup, a performance she says was inspired by a similar scene in a move.
Miss America Kira Kazantsev said Sunday she was inspired by the 2012 movie “Pitch Perfect” in which Anna Kendrick’s character auditions for an a capella group by performing rhythmically with a cup.
But she also says she did it to show future contestants they can win the Miss America pageant by performing whatever talent routine they like, regardless of what others think of it.
Kazantsev came under withering criticism on social media sites for her talent performance after winning the title.
Wait, so the ventriloquism lady lost out to the lady who tapped some SOLO cups on the ground? #MissAmerica
— Maggie Serota (@maggieserota) September 15, 2014
Oh so when I sit cross-legged and bang a red solo cup on the ground I've "had too much to drink" but when she does it she's "Miss America"
— Sage Boggs (@sageboggs) September 15, 2014
Red solo cup… I fill you up… WITH MISS AMERICAS TALENT. Oh wait. The cup is still empty…
— Megan Saunders (@msaunders12) September 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/bdkirkland_/status/511349689514356736
Somebody please tell me how playing with a red solo cup is a talent. #missamerica
— Craig Marsh (@craigmarsh) September 15, 2014
She says she had the time of her life doing the cup routine.