Lebanese immigrant Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA 2010 last night, making her the first Arab-American winner in the pageant’s history.
Miss Michigan Rima Fakih reacts as she is crowned Miss USA 2010 Sunday, May 16, 2010 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Fakih, 24, was raised in New York and previously held the title of Miss Michigan. Despite nearly tripping over her long train during the pageant, she managed to beat out 50 other contestants to secure the prized tiara.
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“She’s a great girl,” said Donald Trump, who owns the pageant with NBC in a joint venture.
During her interview, Fakih was asked whether she thought birth control should be covered by insurance companies. Her answer? Yes, because its expensive.
“I believe that birth control is just like every other medication even though it’s a controlled substance,” Fakih said.
Fakih replaces Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton , and along with her title receives a one-year lease in a New York apartment with living expenses, an undisclosed salary, and various health, professional and beauty services.
The pageant opened with all contestants doing a choreographed dance to Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok”, and progressed to the usual activities like swimsuit and ball gown posing. Girls were slowly eliminated by a panel of judges including Winter Olympic sensation Johnny Weir.
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