Rima Fakih Slaiby – Breaking the Boundaries

A conversation with trailblazing model and philanthropist Rima Fakih Slaiby

- By Jordan Riefe. Photography by Mohamad Seif

Not even her experience as a war refugee and hottie from the hood prepared Rima Fakih for the brutal backstage beauty pageant skirmishes she faced on her way to becoming the first Arab-American Miss America in 2010. This Beirut-born stunner’s strength is rooted in personal struggle, giving her powers far beyond those she’s chosen to reveal in the photo spread.

Rima Fakih was born in Srifa, a small city in Southern Leba non. She and her four siblings were raised in a Shia Muslim household, though she attended Catholic school near Beirut. Fleeing the Lebanese Civil War in 1993, they landed in the Jackson Heights section of Queens and opened a Mediterranean-style restaurant in Manhattan. But business declined following September 11, 2001, and soon they moved to Dearborn, Michigan, one of the nation’s largest Arab-American communities.

As Miss USA, Fakih became involved with WWE events, making appearances and even serving as ring announcer before becoming a contestant on Tough Enough, competing for a contract as a professional wrestler. She lasted until week four, but followed with a 2012 appearance at WrestleMania Axxess. Taking a break from the ring, she landed on the dating show, The Choice, as one of four celebrity bachelorettes, including Carmen Electra.