New Miss America: Red cup talent was from movie

 Miss New York Kira Kazantsev poses for photographers during a news conference after she was crowned Miss America 2015 during the Miss America 2015 pageant, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, in Atlantic City, N.J. (Mel Evans/AP Photo)

Miss New York Kira Kazantsev poses for photographers during a news conference after she was crowned Miss America 2015 during the Miss America 2015 pageant, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, in Atlantic City, N.J. (Mel Evans/AP Photo)

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.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

She says she had the time of her life doing the cup routine.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal