Fakih represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant in Las Vegas on August 23, 2010 where she did not advance to the semifinals; becoming the fifth Miss USA to do so in Miss Universe history (the last time was Shauntay Hinton in 2002).
Fakih's victory was made controversial with charges of bias facing the Miss USA pageant after Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, who was runner-up, defended Arizona's anti-illegal immigration bill.[3][4][5]
The pageant was co-hosted by Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone and Today show correspondent Natalie Morales.[6] Color commentary was provided by Joan and Melissa Rivers.[6] Pop rock band Boys Like Girls performed during the swimsuit competition and country music star Trace Adkins performed during the evening gown competition.[6] Stone, Adkins, and both Rivers have all appeared on Donald Trump's television show Celebrity Apprentice.
Background
Selection of contestants
One delegate from each state and the District of Columbia was chosen in state pageants held which began in July 2009 and ended in January 2010. The first state pageant was Florida, held on July 11, 2009. The final pageant was Arkansas, held on January 10, 2010.
Nine delegates are former Miss Teen USA state winners and two are former Miss America state winners. One delegate became a future Miss America state winner.
Preliminary round
Prior to the final telecast, the delegates competed in the preliminary competition, which involves private interviews with the judges and a presentation show where they compete in swimsuit and evening gown. The preliminary competition took place on May 12, 2010, at 10 pm (ET) hosted by Chet Buchanan and Kristen Dalton, and was broadcast online over Ustream.[7] The 2010 pageant drew the notice of conservative commentators for releasing a set of "exotic and revealing" promotional photos.[8]
Finals
During the final competition, the fifteen delegates with the highest average score from the preliminary competition were announced. The top fifteen competed in swimsuit, while the top ten competed evening gown, and the top five competed in the final question signed up by a panel of judges to determine the winner. The judges' composite score was shown after each round of competition for the second time since 2002.
Tracy Turnure, Miss Washington USA, was crowned by her twin sister Tara Turnure. This marks the first time that twins have won back-to-back at a Miss USA state pageant.[10]
Belinda Wright, Miss Nebraska USA, returned home on May 8 after her father was killed in a farming accident. She later returned to Las Vegas prior to the preliminary competition on May 11.[11]
Rima Fakih is the first Arab American to win the contest. When she won, she had to face many racist comments and allegations. The same thing happened when Nina Davuluri won rival pageant Miss America a few years later.[12]
