Miss USA 2010 Crowned

On May 16, 2010, the 59th edition of the Miss USA pageant took place at the Theatre for the Performing Acts in Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rima Fakih, a 24-year-old former New Yorker who was raised in Dearborn, Mich., beat out 50 other contestants, including runner-up Miss Oklahoma, for the grand prize. She will be representing USA in the Miss Universe 2010 competition.

“I love her, I think she was a great choice to represent America,” says UHS Sophomore, Trista Pelmore.

Fakih is believed to be the first Muslim-American Miss USA. She is also the second Arab-American to be crowned Miss USA since it began way back in 1952.

One of her remarkable quotes was when she said, “Ask me after I’ve had a pizza,” when she was asked on stage how she felt about the big win. Fakih accepted her crown from Kristen Dalton, the outgoing Miss USA.

“I wanted her to win because she answered all the questions intelligently and amazingly strutted her stuff with her walk,” says Pelmore.

She is a graduate the University of Michigan-Dearborn with degrees in economics and business management. She plans to begin law school after her year-long reign.   In addition to winning scholarships and a wardrobe fit for a queen, Fakih will be given a luxury New York City apartment to live in while she’s Miss USA. She is an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer awareness.

Fakih told reporters she sold her car after graduating college in Michigan to help pay for her run in the Miss Michigan USA pageant.

“Probably, unlike anyone else, she had to work her way there and she won the whole pageant which I’m sure was all worth it,” says Pelmore. “I’m glad Miss Michigan won Miss USA.

The pageant aired live to East Coast viewers on NBC. The network owns the pageant in a joint venture with Donald Trump. The entertainment circles and the common people are certain about her victory in the forthcoming contest of Miss Universe.

Source(s):

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/entertainment/rima-fakih-crowned-miss-usa-dpgoh-20100517-fc_7577379

http://www.buzztab.com/breaking-news/rima-fakih-crowned-miss-usa-2010/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/17/AR2010051700431.html