Miss Michigan captures crown

Miss Michigan Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA on Sunday at the Planet Hollywood Resort, possibly the first Arab-American winner of the pageant.

Fakih snagged the diamond-encrusted tiara and the chance to represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant this summer. Pageant officials said Fakih, 24, was born in Lebanon and raised in New York City and Dearborn, Mich., in both the Muslim and Christian faiths.

Although news outlets across the globe reported the milestone, officials said it was too soon for them to confirm whether no other Arab-Americans have ever worn the Miss USA crown.

Despite stumbling during the evening gown competition, Fakih trounced 50 finalists representing the other states and the District of Columbia. When asked how it felt to win, she told broadcast co-host and celebrity chef Curtis Stone: "Ask me after I have a pizza."

Contestants were judged also on their appearance in swimsuits and on their answers to difficult interview questions posed by a panel of judges who, this year, included Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin.

Unlike Miss America, with which this contest is not affiliated, Miss USA has no talent competition.

Nearly more so than who would win, the drama this year swirled around the interview questions.

Last year, runner-up Carrie Prejean told celebrity blogger Perez Hilton that she believed marriage "should be between a man and a woman," adding: "No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

Though it didn't create nearly as many headlines, a mini-Prejean moment transpired when "The Office" star Oscar Nuñez asked Miss Oklahoma Morgan Elizabeth Woolard about Arizona's new illegal immigrant law. The law requires police to verify a person's immigration status if a "reasonable suspicion" arises about it.

"Listen to the question before you boo," Nuñez hushed the agitated live audience before asking Woolard whether she thought the statute treads on federal turf.

Woolard -- calling herself "a huge believer in states' rights" -- said she thought it "perfectly fine for Arizona to create that law."

She softened her stance, however, by adding: "I'm against illegal immigration, but I'm also against racial profiling, so I see both sides of this issue."

Woolard was named runner-up. She was followed by Miss Virginia, Miss Colorado and Miss Maine.

For her interview question, Fakih was asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance.

Responding affirmatively, she said it is "just like every other medication, even though it's a controlled substance."

Miss Nevada USA, Julianna Erdesz of Reno, didn't make the first cut of 15 finalists. No Miss Nevada has ever won the Miss USA crown, and only three have survived the first cut since 2000.

This was the third time Las Vegas has hosted the Miss USA pageant, which was founded in 1952 and has been owned since 1996 by billionaire businessman Donald Trump.

Contact reporter Corey Levitan at 702-383-0456 or e-mail him at clevitan@reviewjournal.com.