Miss America 2019: Miss Michigan praised for addressing Flint water crisis during pageant opening

'I've been told I'm going to be the edgy Miss Michigan'

Emily Sioma may not have won the crown in the 2019 Miss America pageant, but she has been hailed as a queen for addressing the Flint water crisis while in the spotlight.

The 2019 Miss Michigan contestant used her introduction to the national stage to spotlight the ongoing water crisis in her home state, drawing instant praise among the crowd and across social media.

"From a state with 84 per cent of the US fresh water but none for its residents to drink, I am Miss Michigan, Emily Sioma," she said.

The clip of her introduction went viral Sunday night, with outlets celebrating Ms Sioma for "rocking her activism" and "dropping truth bombs”.

Her comments arrived near the start of the pageant during the brief introductory period, which contestants typically use to greet the judges and audience members.

Ms Sioma has previously said she uses her platform to support causes she's passionate about, from the Flint crisis, to sexual assault awareness.

"I've been told I'm going to be the edgy Miss Michigan," the beauty contestant said in an interview with Michigan Live ahead of the 2019 Miss America contest. "But it's come at a good time. We're rebranding our organisation and maybe it's time to rebrand what it looks like to be Miss Michigan — that there's not one type of girl that's supposed to be on this stage, but it's any girl that embodies what it means to be Miss America."

"This empowerment through the experience I had with my sexual assault built me up to be proud of every single part of who I am," she continued.

The criticism over her home state arrived as the town of Flint has struggled to resolve a water crisis that began in 2014, when the region switched its water source in an attempt to conserve money.

Multiple officials have been indicted with involuntary manslaughter in recent weeks, including the state’s top health official and four others.

“Miss Michigan using her 10 second intro to speak on flints water crisis instead of herself is truly using her platform for her state,” one Twitter user wrote.

Others referenced the controversial new Nike advertisements featuring former NFL player Colin Kaepernick.

“Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything,” another user wrote. “Well done, Miss Michigan!”

Nia Franklin of New York was awarded the 2019 Miss America crown, with Connecticut’s Bridget Oei named first runner-up.

The winner thanked her family, including her father, a "survivor of cancer", adding, "It took a lot of perseverance to get here."