Miss USA 2010

Miss USA 2010
Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010
DateMay 16, 2010[1]
Presenters
Entertainment
VenuePlanet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcaster
Entrants51
Placements15
WinnerRima Fakih
Michigan
← 2009
2011 →

Miss USA 2010 was the 59th Miss USA pageant, held at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 16, 2010 which was broadcast live on NBC. Kristen Dalton of North Carolina, crowned her successor, Rima Fakih of Michigan as Miss USA 2010 at the end of this event. This was Michigan's third Miss USA title and the first title in 17 years. Fakih became the first Arab American to win the Miss USA title.[2] This was also the first pageant since 1986 taking place in the month of May.

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.

  1. ^ "2010 Miss USA Pageant to air live on NBC, Sunday May 16th" (Press release). Miss Universe Organization. 2010-02-01.
  2. ^ Associated Press (May 16, 2010). "Michigan's Rima Fakih Wins Miss USA Pageant". CBS News. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Michael Dykes, Brett (2010-05-18). "Miss USA controversies storm the blogosphere". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  4. ^ Allen, Nick (2010-05-18). "Miss USA controversy as fans of runner-up claim immigration question cost her crown". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  5. ^ Noveck, Jocelyn (2010-05-17). "Miss USA pageant stirs new controversy as Arab-American wins". Associated Press via The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  6. ^ a b c "Curtis Stone and Natalie Morales to Host the '2010 Miss USA Pageant'" (Press release). Miss Universe Organization. 2010-04-28.