Miss Michigan Rima Fakih

(Newser) - The current Miss USA is surprised by the fallout from her participation in a pole-dancing event, calling it just "silly" fun. Rima Fakih squirms around a pole in a tape of the event in a sleeveless shirt, shorts and heels, far less revealing than the lingerie shoot Miss USA...

(Newser) - When Rima Fakih became Miss USA on Sunday, she was widely reported to be the first Arab-American to do so. In fact, Julie Hayek, whose father is Lebanese, won in 1983, notes USA Today . It's not clear whether Hayek also is Muslim, so Fakih may yet claim that "first....

(Newser) - Another year, another Miss USA, another scandal? Maybe. Depends on how long it takes for the buzz to shift from the fact that Michigan's Rima Fakih is the first Arab-American to wear the crown to the fact that she won an entirely different competition in 2007—a stripper contest. TMZ...

(Newser) - Miss Michigan Rima Fakih has become the first Arab-American and Muslim to be crowned Miss USA. Fakih, 24, is of Lebanese descent. She won the swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions. Fakih said during her interview that she believes birth control should be paid for by a national health insurance...