Miss Michigan, Arab-American-Rima Fakih, the winner of Miss USA 2010
The new Miss USA may go into the history books for several firsts. Miss Michigan Rima Fakih, 24. She's a Lebanese immigrant who moved to the United States as a baby and was raised in New York where she attended a catholic school. She now lives in Dearborn, Michigan. Officials say pageant records are not detailed enough to know for sure, but Fakih could be the first Arab-American, the first Muslim and the first immigrant to win the Miss USA pageant.
Ms. Fakih beat out 50 other women during the contest, which was held at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The first runner up was Morgan Elizabeth Woolard of Oklahoma.
For the pageant’s swimsuit category, Ms. Fakih donned a pink and orange string bikini and a pair of strappy sandals.
Ms. Fakih, who is of Lebanese descent, is believed to be the first Muslim Miss USA, although pageant officials told The Associated Press that their records were not detailed enough to show whether Fakih was the first Arab-American, Muslim or immigrant to win the title.
Miss Fakih told pageant judges that her family celebrates both the Christian and the Muslim faiths.
They moved to Michigan in 2003, where she was later crowned Miss Michigan.
The Miss U.S.A. pageant, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, was held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino last night.
Miss Fakih competed against 50 others in the swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions.
The Michigan beauty also impressed judges with her strapless white gown — and her firm belief health insurance should cover birth control.
She is thought to be the first Middle Eastern woman to win the title which began as a small-time bathing suit competition in Long Beach, California, in 1952.
Asked what it felt like to win Rima, 24, said: "Ask me after I've had a pizza."
As the victor Rima wins a spot representing the United States in the Miss Universe pageant, a rent-free apartment in New York, a salary plus living expenses and health and beauty treatments.
Rima took the coveted crown despite catching her foot on the train of her gown and nearly taking a tumble during the contest.
Rima Fakih was born in Lebanon, moved to the United States as a baby and was raised in New York City, where she attended a Catholic school. She told pageant organizers her family celebrates both Muslim and Christian faiths. Her family moved to Michigan in 2003, where she later became Miss Michigan USA.
Ms. Fakih is from Dearborn and is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned her bachelors degree in economics with a minor in business administration, the pageant said in a release. She said she planned to attend law school after completing her term as Miss USA.
Ms. Fakih beat out 50 other women during the contest, which was held at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The first runner up was Morgan Elizabeth Woolard of Oklahoma.For the pageant’s swimsuit category, Ms. Fakih donned a pink and orange string bikini and a pair of strappy sandals.
Ms. Fakih, who is of Lebanese descent, is believed to be the first Muslim Miss USA, although pageant officials told The Associated Press that their records were not detailed enough to show whether Fakih was the first Arab-American, Muslim or immigrant to win the title.
Miss Fakih told pageant judges that her family celebrates both the Christian and the Muslim faiths.They moved to Michigan in 2003, where she was later crowned Miss Michigan.
The Miss U.S.A. pageant, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, was held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino last night.
Miss Fakih competed against 50 others in the swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions.
The Michigan beauty also impressed judges with her strapless white gown — and her firm belief health insurance should cover birth control.
She is thought to be the first Middle Eastern woman to win the title which began as a small-time bathing suit competition in Long Beach, California, in 1952.
Asked what it felt like to win Rima, 24, said: "Ask me after I've had a pizza."
As the victor Rima wins a spot representing the United States in the Miss Universe pageant, a rent-free apartment in New York, a salary plus living expenses and health and beauty treatments.
Rima took the coveted crown despite catching her foot on the train of her gown and nearly taking a tumble during the contest.
Rima Fakih was born in Lebanon, moved to the United States as a baby and was raised in New York City, where she attended a Catholic school. She told pageant organizers her family celebrates both Muslim and Christian faiths. Her family moved to Michigan in 2003, where she later became Miss Michigan USA.
Ms. Fakih is from Dearborn and is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned her bachelors degree in economics with a minor in business administration, the pageant said in a release. She said she planned to attend law school after completing her term as Miss USA.
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