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Miss USA Rima Fakih's National Costume and Message to President Obama

by Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick (Subscribe to Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick's posts)
Posted Aug 12th 2010 at 11:50PM  
41 Comments
Share

Looks like Miss Australia has got some competition.

Miss USA, Rima Fakih, is the latest Miss Universe 2010 contestant to be outfitted in a national costume that's bound to ruffle some feathers at the Aug. 23 pageant.

The Arab American stunner from Michigan will take to the Las Vegas stage dressed as a magnificent golden eagle -- inspired by one on the presidential seal -- designed and created for her by Victoria's Secret Fashion Show costumer Martin Izquierdo.

Well, it's better than an Elvis costume.

Fakih says she intends to walk the Miss Universe stage as an "symbol of peace" in tribute to U.S. President Barack Obama.

Talking political heads, cue your writers: Fakih's costume features a "feather"-trimmed gold leotard with a crystal-embellished bustline and corseted lace-up back for an effect that the reigning Miss USA compares to a "Thanksgiving turkey." (No argument here.) Massive golden wings with silver stars jutting out complete the look.

Luckily?, Miss Universe host Bret Michaels will get a bird's-eye view of the sexy chick.

Of course, the kooky costume is not a total surprise: Miss Universe owner Donald Trump has been trying to make his pageants more provocative, even having his Miss USA contestants pose in sexy lingerie for their official photos.

In an open letter to Obama, part of Fakih's "Tribute to the USA" video (above), she explains her national costume choice: "The amazing costume I will be wearing during the Miss Universe Pageant represents the celebration of life, love, liberty and all that is American," she says as patriotic music plays in the background.

"The eagle holds an olive branch and arrows which denote the powers of peace and war. The eagle faces right to show a preference to peace over war. They symbol of this costume is a tribute to your work to bring peace to the world." She finishes by saying, "Fly high, Mr. President." No comment.

Izquierdo, who is shown in the video working in his studio, explains that Miss USA officials came to him seeking a "bald eagle" costume for Fakih, but "after researching various images I realized it wasn't going to be glamorous enough and for this pageant, it's more important to be glamorous." His completed work represents a "golden eagle with rays of sun coming behind her."

An addition to the costume will be an embroidered replica of the presidential seal, which Izquierdo just happened to have on hand from a recently completed rapper's costume.

Fakih, who declared the completed costume "perfect" and "All American," was thrilled to be working with Izquierdo. "I've always looked forward to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show every year... and all the unique wings and this is the guy who does it!," she says as she walks into his studio shaking her hands with excitement.

Here's hoping the beauty queen doesn't do a swan dive the same way she did in her evening gown when clinching her Miss USA title.

And speaking of controversial beauty queens, read what happened to a New Zealand pageant winner after she dyed her hair.
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Filed under: Fashion, Celebrity, News, Designers & Brands, Celebrity Style
Tags: American, beauty pageants, Costumes, eagles, Martin Izquierdo, Miss Universe, Miss Universe 2010, Miss USA, National Costumes, Pageants, Partiotic, President Obama, Rima Fakih, Tributes, Victorias Secret, Wings
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READER COMMENTS

(41)Add A Comment

Jim, 8-13-2010, 2:49PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Jim

Gotta say it, Miss USA is ugly!

Reply »

Gerri, 8-13-2010, 3:01PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Gerri

Wow! The U.S. of A. is being represented by an Arab woman. What's wrong with that picture?

Reply »

okc5150, 8-13-2010, 6:06PM

1 star vote downvote upReport
okc5150

Nothing is wrong with that picture. She's an American citizen, and, has the rights we all have.

»

ME, 8-13-2010, 7:04PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
ME

If she is an American then why is she called an Arab American. I thought everyone who was born in American was an AMERICAN. PERIOD.

»

Apple, 8-13-2010, 7:26PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Apple

Obviously she is an American Citizen so...It's Actually Great....Love It!!!!! There is Absolutely Nothing Wrong with that picture.........It Shows Her Love Of Our Country and Tolerance For People Like You!

You Should Try being More Open Minded and Less Judgemental!

»

Apple, 8-13-2010, 7:26PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Apple

8 - How Riduiculous are you? I was also born in America just as my parent's but I am African Italian American...so what the heck is your point...or did it get burried with HITLER?

»

James D. Arnold, 8-13-2010, 3:20PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
James D. Arnold

Here are some other uses for this costume: 1. Hostess at the Hawk Man booth at a comic book convention. 2. U. S. representative at Carnivale in Rio de Janero. 3. Guest of honor at a stone-a-thon in Afgnistan.

Reply »

George, 8-13-2010, 4:01PM

1 star vote downvote upReport
George

It's an awesome costume and it'll look great at the Miss Universe pagent. Good luck, kiddo. Those girls from South America are always in it to win it.

Reply »

Hotstuff, 8-13-2010, 4:05PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Hotstuff

wowee here she looks more like Miss Jersey Shore, not exactly a subtle or profound representation of American culture.

Reply »

okc5150, 8-13-2010, 6:14PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
okc5150

Alright, now I'm curious. What exactly would be a representation of American Culture?

»

Apple, 8-13-2010, 7:26PM

1 star vote downvote upReport
Apple

What counts is unlike you with your negative eye, she has the Right Spirit!

»

Max, 8-13-2010, 4:09PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Max

It would be nice if Miss USA could enunciate. There is a 't' in Martin...it's not pronounced Mar-in ! it's so getto to speak that way...although the way this country is going, maybe that's what's appropriate.

Reply »

Margie, 8-13-2010, 4:17PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Margie

I bet Victoria Secret is jealous.............

Reply »

chuck, 8-13-2010, 4:25PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
chuck

ahhhh let us do anything at all to help Hussein Obama.. maybe he just needs another vacation on our dollar, beside a boast from a costume.

Reply »

Apple, 8-13-2010, 7:25PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Apple

Chuck ....Dude go and drink another Beer! What are you talking about besides HATE>>>????? That conversation is un-welcome here...!!!!!

»

Apple, 8-13-2010, 7:34PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Apple

Chuck - For the record.......Your Ignorance is astounding! President and Mrs. Obama were Millionaires way before you even knew who they were....so another dollar....I think you need it more...!!!!!!! Hey Community College is Cheap.....Go take A Class...and while you at it...see if you can aquire some Class....Lol

»

JM Barbar, 8-13-2010, 4:30PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
JM Barbar

Oh PUHLEEZE! Gag me with a spoon. Another pageant contestant touting "world peace". How original!

Reply »

Apple, 8-13-2010, 7:25PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Apple

She has got your negative Rump Beat!!!!!! We Should All be Concerned With Peace not Politics for the sake of Politics! Who said Cheering for Peace had a pre-requisite...????

»

Shannon, 8-13-2010, 4:32PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Shannon

I used to loooove the Miss Universe pageant, but I feel as it has been going down hill fast and this just clinches it. This young woman looks like she SHOULD be in the VS fashion show because all she is wearing is underwear. Mr. Trump sure likes it when all the contestants put the ASS in class doesn't he? This is just a shame that she is going to be walking out wearing that like she is going to a hooker convention when there will be so many other beautiful and amazing costumes that don't reveal quite that much, and it is obvious she is giving up creativity to show skin to try to get points to win. Puerto Rico or Venezuela is going to win this year anyways, surprise surprise.

Reply »

Shannon, 8-13-2010, 4:34PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Shannon

Besides, she has butter face.

»

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