Rima Fakih Slaiby made history in 2010 as the first Arab American to be crowned Miss USA. Born in Lebanon during the civil war, Fakih Slaiby and her family relocated to New York City when she was just 7 years old. Her journey to success was not without its challenges, as she faced discrimination and pressure to withdraw from the pageant. Read on to learn more about her remarkable story.
As a child growing up in war-torn Lebanon, Fakih Slaiby experienced the harsh realities of war. However, amidst the chaos, she considers herself fortunate to have survived several dangerous encounters. One incident that stands out in her memory is when a bomb rolled through her legs while she was sitting in a high chair, but miraculously didn’t explode. Fakih Slaiby also carries a scar on her leg from shrapnel wounds.
When Fakih Slaiby was 7 years old, her father made the decision to leave Lebanon and seek a better life in the United States. Their journey led them to New York City, where Fakih Slaiby was captivated by the American dream even before setting foot on American soil. En route to JFK airport, she received a coloring book on the plane, which made her fall in love with the idea of America. The sight of McDonald’s and her family members with playful bedrooms further fueled her excitement.
Arriving in the United States, Fakih Slaiby was relieved to escape the danger and uncertainty of her homeland. Her family settled in a small apartment in Jackson Heights, Queens. While the neighborhood had its risks, it paled in comparison to the perils of Lebanon. However, after the tragic events of 9/11, Fakih Slaiby faced a new challenge. She went from being a student in a school where no one knew about her Lebanese heritage to experiencing harassment and discrimination. She even got into physical altercations, particularly with boys. Despite these hardships, Fakih Slaiby’s family remained resilient.
Fakih Slaiby’s family owned a Mediterranean restaurant in Manhattan, but they faced cruel acts of racism following the 9/11 attacks. People threw bricks through their restaurant window and left hateful messages, telling them to go back to their country. Unable to tolerate the racism any longer, the family made the decision to move to Dearborn, Michigan, where there is a large Arab-American community. However, Fakih Slaiby still felt like she didn’t fully belong. She spoke with a Latin accent due to her upbringing in Queens, and her perspectives differed from those around her due to the predominantly Islamic culture. Consequently, she focused on working and held three jobs, including one as a social worker at AmeriCorps, while attending the University of Michigan.
Although Fakih Slaiby had dreams of becoming a lawyer, the economic crisis made it difficult to pursue that path without scholarships. Instead, she took on various jobs, including modeling, waitressing, and working at a hospital. It was during this period that her guidance counselor and mother suggested she enter beauty pageants. Fakih Slaiby initially considered participating in Miss Lebanon, but they rejected her application on discriminatory grounds. Undeterred, she attended the orientation for Miss Michigan, where she discovered a focus on charitable work. This aligned perfectly with her passion for philanthropy. Despite financial constraints, Fakih Slaiby persevered and sold her car to obtain a dress for the pageant. Two days before the event, she faced attempts to intimidate her into dropping out, but she stood her ground, asserting her rights as an American citizen. In May of that year, Fakih Slaiby was crowned Miss USA.
As Miss USA, Fakih Slaiby faced numerous challenges due to her appearance and name. However, moments of support and encouragement stood out, such as receiving a call from then-President Barack Obama, who humorously referred to them as distant relatives. These moments solidified her belief that Miss USA should represent the multicultural nature of America, which is founded on immigration. Fakih Slaiby also experienced a shift in her religious identity, converting from Islam to Christianity. She believes in the importance of respecting all religions while staying true to one’s own beliefs. In 2016, she married her husband Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, who manages successful artists in the music industry.
Fakih Slaiby maintains her dedication to philanthropy and has taken on various roles, including serving as an ambassador for the Children’s Cancer Center in Lebanon. Additionally, she pursued a brief career in professional wrestling to empower women and showcase their strength. Today, she leads by example as a full-time mother and collaborates with her husband on their professional ventures. Fakih Slaiby recognizes the value of using her voice to make a difference, an important lesson she learned during her journey to becoming Miss USA.
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