It’s an unusual journey for a beauty queen to take, but then again, what can be more American than the story of an immigrant girl made good?  Born in Lebanon, raised in Queens, and a resident of Dearborn, Michigan, Rima Fakih has accomplished quite a lot in her young life, and now she’s become the latest Miss USA after winning the crown during last night’s Miss USA pageant.  While officials aren’t sure because the pageant’s records aren’t clear, Fakih might be the first Arab-American, Muslim, and/or immigrant to win the 52-year-old beauty contest that began life as a bathing suit competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The pageant is co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, so it’s fitting that Fakih knew she won thanks to The Donald, as his gaze gave away the results of the 8 celebrity judges:  “That’s the same look that he gives them when he says, ‘You’re hired,’” Rima gushed.  As the latest Miss USA, Rima gets a one-year lease on a luxury apartment in New York City, an undisclosed salary, and all the beauty and health services she requires.

Oh yeah, she also gets a shot at becoming the next Miss Universe.  Hopefully she’ll be more well-behaved than the former Miss England, because if she’s not, the current Miss England might have to use her army training to take her down.

Image: Andrew Potter’s photography blog

Tags: Miss USA, Miss Michigan, Rima Fakih, Lebanese-America, Muslim wins Miss USA, Donald Trump, Dearborn, Michigan, Queens, New York, NBC, Miss USA winner, beauty pageants

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