2010 Miss USA

Fifty-one contestants from every state and the District of Columbia took to the stage Sunday at Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to compete for the title of Miss USA and the opportunity for a place in the Miss Universe pageant.

Miss Michigan USA Rima Fakih, 24, took home the crown after the swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions. When asked how she felt about winning, she said, "Ask me after I've had a pizza."

Fakih, from Dearborn, Mich., covers her mouth in shock after winning the Miss USA pageant. Earlier, she nearly fell during the evening gown portion of the competition while finishing her walk in a long, strapless gown because of the length of its train. She made it without a spill.

Fakih, of Lebanese descent, is believed to be the first Arab American, immigrant and Muslim to become Miss USA. She told pageant organizers her family celebrates both Muslim and Christian faiths. She moved to the United States as a baby and was raised in New York. Here she is competing in the bathing suit portion of the competition.

During the interview portion, Fakih was asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance. "I believe that birth control is just like every other medication even though it's a controlled substance," Fakih said.

Fakih is surrounded by contestants after she was crowned Miss USA 2010. The 51 hopefuls became an online sensation during the week after they posed for racy photographs that some thought were too revealing.

Fakih and Miss Oklahoma USA Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, left, stand together seconds before Fakih was named Miss USA. Woolard, the first runner-up, will take over official duties if Fakih is unable to or is relieved of her official duties.

Kristen Dalton, the winner in 2009, takes her final walk as Miss USA prior to crowning her successor. Earlier in the program, Dalton said traveling to Haiti to help the earthquake relief efforts was the most memorable part of her year-long reign.

TODAY's Natalie Morales and celebrity chef Curtis Stone co-hosted the event. Before flying out to Las Vegas, Morales told TODAY it was an "honor" to be asked to be on the stage. "It's always such a glamorous event and I look forward to meeting the gorgeous contestants," she said.

The 51 contestants were joined by musical guests Trace Adkins and Boys Like Girls during the show. Here they dance to music by Ke$ha at the opening of the pageant.

Host Curtis Stone teases Miss Maine Katherine Ashley Whittier, about her height during the Miss USA 2010 pageant.

Miss Texas Kelsey Moore, from El Paso, was one of the youngest contestants in this year's ceremony at 19 years old.

Miss New Mexico Rosanna Aguilar competes in the Miss USA 2010 pageant. A panel of eight judges, including NBA star Carmelo Anthony and Treasure Island casino-hotel owner Phil Ruffin, were judging the girls throughout the night.

Most of the field of contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia were eliminated just after the pageant began. Ten more were eliminated after the swimsuit and the evening gown rounds. The winner was selected after the interview portion of the competition.