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Her make-up is layered on carefully, each lash in place. The beauty has on her best, a gown that is strategically designed to wow the viewer. Let’s not leave out the diamond studded tiara that’s placed on the frontal lobe of the contestant’s head. Her smile is big and her right hand waves from side to side. This is the potential scene of young hopefuls between the ages of 13-26 competing to be Miss USA of 2011. What drives a young lady to want to compete in these competitions? What is the true significance of a beauty pageant and can it diagnose a negative syndrome on today’s youth?

Rima Fakih, a beautiful American and Lebanese 25-year-old took the crown in May 2010 as Miss USA. She sheds a positive light on the legendary competition and explores what it’s like to win in an interview with Pageantry Magazine.

“I’ve not only been all over the United States {since I’ve won}, but I’ve been to Africa—one of my highlights has been going to Rwanda, being part of the Same Sky project, supporting and aiding women who have been through the genocide and are wanting to do so much more for their families.”

In the beginning of Fakih’s reign she gained heavy media coverage for being the first Muslim to become Miss USA. “In America, we all come in different colors, different races, different religions, and it was a good eye-opener for everyone to see that Miss USA is Muslim and immigrated to this country.”

Possibly helping to heal the world and breaking racial barriers like Fakih perhaps this is one of the leading examples that may influence other young women to apply to the Miss Universe Organization in hopes of becoming the next Miss USA.

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Throughout the years beauty pageants have been to blame for young girls wanting to look a certain way. If rejected by a recruiter from the Miss Universe Organization automatically young girls feel they may not be pretty, skinny or good enough. This results in desperate measures for a body change or a long list of insecurities. Of course that reaction is natural but not necessary, there are several different ways to view a beauty pageant in a positive way.

The Miss Universe Organization has been holding this beauty contest annually for the past 60 years. The organization describes the woman involved in the contest to be “savvy, goal-oriented and aware,” they go on to say “the delegates who become part of the Miss Universe Organization display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals, who compete with hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who seek to improve the lives of others.”

This alone should serve as an inspirational wave for women across the globe and if you don’t make the cut there are ways to advance your career and goals on your own. A pageant shouldn’t be what defines a woman’s dreams.

Airing at 9PM ET on NBC, this Sunday June 19, 2011, the 60th annual Miss USA pageant will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada! Rima Fakih. Miss USA of 2010 will pass her crown off to her successor. “I’m going to miss wearing that sash,” Fakih tells Pageantry Magazine. “I’m going to miss the schedule that I get every evening telling me what I’m doing the next day, because after I’m done, who is going to tell me what to do? I’m going to be lost. Who’s picking me up? What do I wear? That schedule kept me in order,” she reminisces.

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Over 50 girls are up for the challenge; the youngest being 20, the oldest 27. While all competitors are gorgeous and worth watching, will anyone tune in? Are beauty pageants out dated? The Miss Universe Organization might be sensing this because they have changed things up a bit this year. For the first time in pageant history they are allowing the viewers to exclusively vote online for the semifinalists. Popular TV personality Giuliana Rancic is scheduled to host alongside Bravo network executive Andy Cohen.

Miss New York of 2011 was asked if she would ever consider a nude photo shoot.

“I’ve seen beautiful nude photo shoots, but I personally would never do a nude photo shoot. My dad was a Baptist preacher so I’m preacher’s daughter that’s just against the rules, you know. But I do think that they’re {nude photos} beautiful and that you know, the human body is beautiful and there are ways to do it where it’s artistic and tasteful.” This should be an interesting show.

Lathleen Ade-Brown

Lathleen is an entertainment reporter and freelance writer. She spends most of her time writing and freelancing around the country.