Miss New York Kira Kazantsev Crowned Miss America

Kira Kazantsev snatched the crown in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sunday night

Photo: Mel Evans/AP

Miss New York Kira Kazantsev has been named the new Miss America, marking the third year in a row that a contestant from her state has walked away with the crown in the nationally televised pageant.

Kazantsev received the crown Sunday night at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall from outgoing Miss America – and also Miss New York – Nina Davuluri, who was the first Miss American of Indian heritage.

During the talent competition, Kazantsev sang Pharrell Williams‘s hit song “Happy” while sitting cross-legged on the stage and banging a red plastic cup on the floor.

She named combating sexual assault in the military as the issue she would want female U.S. Senators to press their male counterparts on.

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