Rima Fakih Crowned Miss USA 2010 — Miss Michigan Makes History As First Arab-American Miss USA
Sure she stumbled in her evening gown, but Rima Fakih — a stunning 24-year-old brunette from Dearborn, Michigan — made history Sunday night as she beat out 50 other women to be crowned 2010 Miss USA.
Rima, the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, is believed to be the first Muslim and Arab American to become Miss USA, according to her hometown paper, The Detroit Free Press.
“This is historic,” Imad Hamad, regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, told the paper. “This shows the greatness of America, how everyone can have a chance to make it.”
Fakih won the pageant — hosted by The TODAY Show’s Natalie Morales and celebrity chef Curtis Stone — after making notable impressions in the swimsuit, evening gown, and interview competitions at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Rima earned high marks from the eight judge panel — which included Olympian Johnny Weir and NBA hoopster Carmelo Anthony — when asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance, and she said she believed it should. During the competition, Fakih nearly fell while finishing her walk in a long, strapless white gown that the beauty later admitted made her look like a mermaid.
Miss Oklahoma USA, Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, was crowned first runner-up and will assume the duties of Miss USA 2010 if the titleholder is named MISS Universe 2010 or if for some reason Fakih cannot fulfill her duties. Miss Virginia USA, Samantha Casey, finished third.
Rima is also the first beauty queen from Michigan to win the Miss USA title since actress Kenya Moore took the crown in 1993.
Written by Castina on May 16th, 2010 | Tagged as: 2010 Miss USA
On May 16th 2010, Woody wrote:
Thank God she dosnt wear a Burka.
On May 17th 2010, Lola wrote:
in 1983 Joli Hayek was the first Arab American lady crowned as Miss USA and she was Arab Lebanese too so the new Miss USA Rima Fakeih is the second Arab/American lady who was crowned Miss USA.
On May 17th 2010, Immanuel wrote:
I approve the judges decision.
On May 17th 2010, Chris Ziadeh wrote:
way to go leabnon! it doesnt matter if she is christian or muslim.. we are proud of each and every lebanese made an improvment and left a mark in the USA!
On May 17th 2010, azgal wrote:
that’s kim kardashian
On May 17th 2010, M ZAHIDUL HAQUE wrote:
Hearty congratulations Rima. I look forward to find you as a goodwill Ambassador for peace to ease tension prevailing between Muslim and non-Muslim nations. I sincerely hope you will promote decent cultural norms and values while performing your duties as the Miss USA.
Cheers and good luck!
Zahid
On May 17th 2010, SMB wrote:
This was not fair as there were more pretty girls than her? I wonder what the judges crowned her for ???
On May 19th 2010, Lcr07 wrote:
cease to be jealous, she is incredibly beautiful
On May 21st 2010, MomMiriam wrote:
In summer tank top/shorts, Lebanese-American Rima Fakih wins a radio Channel 99.5 Detroit-sponsored promotional pole-dancing contest one morning in 2007. Swimsuit bikini-clad, she wins the Miss U.S.A. title another day in 2010. Diamond tiara-crowned, she wakes up the next morn publicly stoned by false accusations of being a pole-dancing strip teaser somewhere in her past. Hey, U.S.A. – what is wrong with you? In the land of the free where the nation of immigrants are rooted to “In God, We Trust” and society idolizes showy “sexiness,” doesn’t this “scandalized uproar” sadly smack of hypocrisy, jealousy, sick sensationalism, desperate marketing, and cheap advertising? Here’s a few things to know about the beauty-with-brains winner:
1. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and minored in Business Administration at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. [The Detroit Blog]
2. She was a volunteer social worker during her college years. [My Fox New York]
3. Rima is the ambassador of The Pink Fund, an organization that provides financial aid to women and men afflicted with breast cancer. [The Pink Fund]
4. She has also worked to raise awareness of breast and ovarian cancer and women’s self-defense. [The Detroit Blog]