RIMA FAKIH: THE JOURNEY OF MISS USA 2010

A 24-year-old Arab American from Michigan beat out 50 other women to take the 2010 Miss USA title Sunday night, despite nearly stumbling in her evening gown.
Rima Fakih was born in Srifa, a small city in the Jabal Amel region of Southern Lebanon, to a prominent Shi'a Muslim family. In 1993, her family moved to New York, where she later attended St. John's Preparatory School, a Catholic high school. Her family moved to Dearborn, Michigan, in 2003. Fakih and her family are Muslim, but they also celebrate elements of Christianity, such as Christmas.
Fakih currently resides in Dearborn with her parents and her younger brother, Rami. A graduate of St. John's Preparatory Catholic High School, she attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration. Active in the campus community, she served her fellow students as class senator, in addition to acting as the president of the students in the school’s Free Enterprise Group. Always reserving time for community service, Fakih spent much of her college years volunteering as a social worker through various community organizations. She plans to attend law school after her year-long reign.

Rima Fakih knew how to work a stripper pole during a contest by Mojo in the Morning radio show Mojo In The Morning's “Stripper 101” in 2007, when she was 21. She got many dollars in her bra and gifts. Yet, she remains completely dressed when pole riding.
Rima Fakih in Evening Gown and Swimsuit when Miss USA 2010 Competition.

On September 19th, 2008, Lebanese American Rima Fakih made history when she became the newest titleholder of Miss Michigan USA. In 2008, Fakih was selected to represent Michigan in the Miss Lebanon Emigrant competition. The event is part of the Miss Lebanon pageant, and is open to young women who are Lebanese or of Lebanese origin, living in countries of the Lebanese diaspora. Fakih placed third in the contest, held August 13 in Batroun, Lebanon, finishing behind Carina El Kaddissi of Brazil and Jessica Kahawaty of Australia.

She is the first Arab American to hold such a title. Judges selected Fakih amongst a group of 40 competitors based on a series of three major categories: personal interview, swimsuit/fitness, and evening gown. As the winner, she received $100,000 in scholarships and prizes, including the opportunity to complete a master's degree at some of America's finest universities. Fakih, a Dearborn native, previously attained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2008, with a double major in Economics and Business Management.

Rima Fakih holds hands with Miss Oklahoma Morgan Woolard as they nervously await the judge

Arab American, Rima Fakih has won the Miss USA pageant. Miss USA 2009, Kristen Dalton, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the live broadcast. Miss Michigan Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA on May 15, becoming the first Arab-American to ever win the pageant. Miss Virginia Samantha Evelyn Casey was the second runner-up, Miss Colorado Jessica Hartman was third runner-up, and Miss Maine Katherine Ashley Whittier was the fourth runner-up.

CONGRATULATIONS

Rima Fakih in Evening Gown and Swimsuit when Miss USA 2010 Competition.