May
17, 2010
Dearborn's Miss Michigan wins Miss USA pageant
Audrey Moore, Miss Alabama USA 2010; Megan Clementi, Miss Florida USA 2010; Brittany Bell, Miss Arizona USA 2010;
Elizabeth Anseth, Miss Montana USA 2010; and Belinda Wright, Miss Nebraska USA 2010, performs in fashions by Sherri
Hill and footware by Nina Shoes during the opening of the 59th annual MISS USA competition from the Planet Hollywood
Resort
and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts, in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 16,
2010.
Arab
Americans across metro Detroit cheered as Rima Fakih of Dearborn was crowned
Miss USA tonight in Las Vegas. “This is unbelievable,” said Rami Haddad,
26 of Livonia, one of Fakih’s biggest supporters. “It’s a dream come
true. I can’t express my feelings.” Fakih,
of Lebanese descent, is believed to be the first Arab American and Muslim to
become Miss USA. She is also the first Michigander to be Miss USA since 1993.
“This is great news for Michigan,” said Haddad. “We have beauty here. We
have talent.” Haddad said Fakih’s win can help motivate Michiganders to
dream big. “This will motivate us,” Haddad said. “She was so
determined.”
“This is historic,” Imad Hamad, regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said. “This shows the greatness of America, how everyone can have a chance to make it.”
Supporters
are gathering at La Pita in Dearborn for a party to celebrate Fakih’s win.
The contestants took the stage Sunday Night at Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood
Resort & Casino to compete for the crown and the opportunity for a place
in the Miss Universe pageant.
The 24-year-old brunette from Michigan beat out four blondes and 46 other women for the 2010 Miss USA title after nearly stumbling in her evening gown. Fakih won the pageant Sunday night after swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions. During the competition, Fakih nearly fell while finishing her walk in a long, strapless gown because of the length of its train, but she recovered without a spill and went on to win. In the interview, Fakih was asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance, and she said she believed it should. Miss Oklahoma USA Morgan Elizabeth Woolard was first runner-up after handling a question about Arizona's new immigration law. She said she supports it. This year, the pageant was aired live on NBC. The television network owns the pageant in a joint venture with Donald Trump.
The competition was hosted by celebrity chef Curtis Stone and NBC correspondent Natalie Morales , with commentary by comedian Joan Rivers and her daughter Melissa. The show also featured musical performances from country star Trace Adkins and Boys Like Girls.
Claire Schreiner, Miss Wyoming USA 2010; Gina Cerilli, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2010 and
Tucker Perry, Miss Tennessee USA 2010, as they are named a MISS USA 2010 semi-finalist
in their Opening Number Outfits by Sherri Hill featuring shoes by Nina footwear.
Adrielle
Churchill, Miss Arkansas USA 2010; Bethany
Gerber, Miss Kansas USA 2010 and
Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, Miss Oklahoma USA 2010 competed in swimwear by Kandy Wrappers.
Katie
Whittier, Miss Maine USA 2010; Breanne
Ponder, Miss Mississippi USA 2010 and
Audrey Moore, Miss Alabama USA pose for the judges in their choice of evening gown
Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, Miss Oklahoma USA 2010; Rima Fakih, Miss Michigan USA 2010; Jessica Hartman, Miss
Colorado USA 2010; Samantha Casey, Miss Virginia USA 2010; and Katie Whittier, Miss Maine USA 2010, are announced
as the top 5 during the MISS USA 2010 competition.
Rima Fakih, Miss Michigan USA 2010, talks with Hosts Curtis Stone and Natalie Morales during the interview segment
Samantha Casey, Miss Virginia USA 2010, answers a question from
one
of the judges while Hosts Curtis Stone and Natalie Morales look on /
Jessica Hartman, Miss Colorado USA 2010, poses for the judges during the final vote
Rima Fakih, 24, of Dearborn, Michigan, reacts after being
crowned Miss USA 2010 at the conclusion of the LIVE NBC telecast.
Fakih is 5' 8" tall with light brown eyes and black hair. She will spend her year-long
reign making special appearances on behalf of the MISS Universe
Organization, its sponsors and affiliated charities.
MISS
FLORIDA USA REPORT:
It was great to see so much support from our Pageant Family as they traveled great lengths to support our Miss Florida USA 2010 Megan Clement. From arrival on Wednesday to the finale last night everywhere around Las Vegas was our contingent who came ready to show some Sunshine State support. Alas the judges didn’t see the greatness in our titleholder but Ms. Clementi knew she put her best foot forward and was in good spirits after the broadcast. She represented us with poise, grace and honor and we are very proud of OUR titleholder.
Our Florida USA contingent before Sunday mornings Dress Rehearsal
The Rivera girls before the big show / Erica Bachelor and Barbara Ewald / Jaime Converse Estrada (Miss Florida USA 1998)
poses with Tatiana Santos, Miss Boca Raton USA 2011
Miss
Martinez, Ms. Hasellvander, Ms. Lowrey and Ms. Kelley after the event
Final
group shot of the evening
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