Miss Michigan Stumbles Her Way to Miss USA Crown

After a somewhat controversial week for the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, the grand finale event held on Sunday evening, May 16, 2010 and broadcast live on NBC from the Planet Hollywood Casino where the crowning of the new Miss USA took place, ended with even more drama.

Miss Michigan, Rima Fakia, a Lebanese immigrant from Dearborn, Michigan, won the Miss USA title after stumbling on stage because of the length of the train on the gorgeous white evening gown she was wearing while finishing her walk. She did avoid falling and gracefully recovered from the stumble in her gown that somewhat resembled a wedding dress, and went on to win the title and take the crown of the new Miss USA.

A somewhat Cinderella type story Miss Michigan, who beat out 50 other contestants to win the title, told reporters she sold her car after graduating from college to help pay for her pageant run. I would have to describe this beautiful young lady as someone who is pretty determined to reach her goals in life, despite a few stumbles along the way.

A racy photo shoot earlier in the pageant and posted on You Tube generated a lot of debate as to weather the pageant went too far in drawing thousands of viewers. Miss Michigan was photographed for the event, which was titled "Waking Up In Vegas", wearing a skimpy costume and fishnet hosiery. All 51 contestants were photographed in similar type costumes for the photo shoot. Donald Trump, part owner of the pageant defended the photo shoot stating these young ladies were models and there was nothing inappropriate about it for this type of event. Evidently whatever it takes to get the viewers attention is okay. Ratings is the name of the game, I guess. It was pointed out that the Miss America pageant, which drew millions of viewers is no longer even televised since it changed its format.

Rima Fakia , our new Miss USA, proved that anything is possible in this big wide world if you put your mind to it. A stumble here, a slip there, even an occasional fall shouldn't deter one from pursuing their dreams. I tend to agree with her.

Source: Miss USA Pageant, NBC
personal opinion