Date May 16, 2010 Entrants 51 | ||
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Presenters Natalie Morales, Curtis Stone, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers Entertainment Boys Like Girls, Trace Adkins Venue The AXIS, Las Vegas, Nevada | ||
Miss USA 2010, the 59th Miss USA pageant, was held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts in Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 16, 2010. Kristen Dalton of North Carolina, crowned her successor, Rima Fakih of Michigan as Miss USA 2010 at the end of this event.
Contents
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 fourth Miss USA to do so in Miss Universe history (the last time was Shauntay Hinton in 2002).
Representatives of the 50 states and the District of Columbia competed for the title in the pageant, which was broadcast live on NBC. Fakih's victory, however, was 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.
The pageant was co-hosted by Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone and Today show correspondent Natalie Morales. Color commentary was provided by Joan and Melissa Rivers. Pop rock band Boys Like Girls performed during the swimsuit competition and country music star Trace Adkins performed during the evening gown competition. Stone, Adkins, and both Rivers have all appeared on Donald Trump's television show Celebrity Apprentice.
Kristen Dalton and Chet Buchanan hosted the presentation show. For the first time, the preliminary competition was webcast live via Ustream on May 12, 2010, following a precedent set at the 2009 Miss Universe pageant. The 2010 pageant drew the notice of conservative commentators for releasing a set of "exotic and revealing" promotional photos.
Pageants were held to select the representative for each state between June 2009 and January 2010. During the final show on May 16, the fifteen delegates with the highest average score from the preliminary competition were announced. The top fifteen competed in the swimsuit competition. The top ten delegates from swimsuit competed in evening gown. The top five delegates from the evening gown competition (not averaged composite scores from both competitions) competed in the final question round to determine the winner. The judges' composite score was shown after each round of competition for the fourth time since 2002.
Preliminary judges
Final judges
Preliminary
Telecast
Crossovers
Ten delegates have previously competed in either the Miss Teen USA or Miss America pageant, including one who had competed in both..
Nine delegates who have previously held a Miss Teen USA state title are:
Delegates who have previously held a Miss America state title were:
Prize package
Miss Congeniality: The award is for a contestant that exemplifies respect and admiration of the contestant's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as a Flip MinoHD Video Camcorder and jewelry from Diamond Nexus Labs.
Miss Photogenic: The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the contestant who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as a Flip MinoHD Video Camcorder and jewelry from Diamond Nexus Labs.
Miss USA 2010: A custom diamond tiara and jewelry by Diamond Nexus Labs; a shoe collection from Nina Footwear; a one-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy; hair care products and accessories from Farouk Systems; eveningwear wardrobe by Sherri Hill; a Flip MinoHD Video Camcorder; a collection of luggage by Heys USA Inc.; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; gym membership to Gravity Fitness; hair services from John Barrett Salon; modeling portfolio by photographer Fadil Berisha; dermatology services from Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD; dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; a year-long salary as Miss USA; extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners; year-long consultation with a fashion stylist and access to a personal appearance wardrobe and the opportunity to represent the USA at Miss Universe 2010 this summer in Las Vegas.