A former Miss Universe is a brand new US citizen — just in time to vote against former Miss Universe owner Donald Trump.
Alicia Machado, a Venezuelan actress and model who won the crown in 1996, bravely spoke out last May about the verbal and emotional abuse she faced from Trump during her year-long reign as Miss Universe.
Machado said that Trump mocked her as “Miss Housekeeping” for her accent. When Machado gained some weight, Trump called her “Miss Piggy” and humiliated her by forcing her to work out in front of a horde of reporters.
She “likes to eat,” Trump told them. The abuse led Machado to suffer from eating disorders for years.
Today, Machado is healthy and urging all Latinos and immigrants to also empower themselves by registering to vote. And this November, Machado will cast her very first vote as well — for Trump’s Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.
“This is a very important election,” Machado said. “[I became a citizen] for my daughter, my country and to [exercise] my right to vote. The United States is in a very important moment and we need to take the power to go and vote.”
On Friday, Machado posted a photo announcing her new citizenship.
“Miss Piggy can vote, @RealDonaldTrump” she wrote.
