New Miss USA in stripper row, pole dancing pictures emerge

London: She was hailed as the poster girl of new America, a Lebanese immigrant who won the Miss USA crown. But just a day after, Rima Fakih`s victory has been tarnished with pictures of her pole dancing at a strip club emerging on the Internet. The 24-year-old from Michigan who is thought to be the first Muslim woman ever to win the competition, features in a video sliding up and down a stripper`s pole in a blue tank top, hot pants and high heels.

Fakih won the `Stripper 101` contest at the Coliseum Gentleman`s Club in 2007 and other photographs showed her wearing a bra stuffed with dollar bills, reported Daily Mail online. The photos were posted on the website of a Detroit-based radio show following her triumph at the Miss USA contest on Sunday night. The radio show`s producers claim they have been contacted by the organisers of the Miss Universe competition requesting additional information regarding Fakih`s involvement. Meanwhile as the winner of the Miss USA title, the marketing executive from Michigan will represent America in the Miss World beauty contest later this year. Supporters had claimed that her success in the pageant showed the true face of Arab Americans at a time when they have come under the spotlight over attempted terror attacks. The Miss USA pageant has been dogged by controversy in recent years. Last year`s winner Carrie Prejean was stripped off her title after it emerged she had made a sex tape. She also caused controversy by claiming during the pageant that marriage should be between `a man and a woman`. And in 2006 Tara Conner, 20,admitted to taking drugs and underage drinking. She was allowed to keep her title after going into rehab. The pageant, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, was held at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on Sunday night. Mr Trump has refused to comment. PTI