An unhappy crowd booed Miss USA judge Oscar Nunez when he asked Miss Oklahoma Morgan Elizabeth Woolard a question about Arizona’s immigration law on Sunday night’s pageant.
But could Woolard's answer have cost her the crown?
The "The Office" star asked Woolard if she supported Arizona’s right to enforce the law, which requires police to verify a person's immigration status if there's "reasonable suspicion" that the person is in the country illegally.
May 16: Miss Michigan Rima Fakih is crowned Miss USA 2010 by Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009.
Woolard said she supports state's rights, adding that she is against illegal immigration, but is also against racial profiling.
"I'm a huge believer in states' rights. I think that's what's so wonderful about America," Woolard said. "So I think it's perfectly fine for Arizona to create that law."
The night's events mirrored last year's pageant, when gossip blogger Perez Hilton asked Miss California Carrie Prejean if she believed in gay marriage. Prejean said she didn't, and a media firestorm ensued, with many arguing that it cost her the Miss USA title.
While many Americans are opposed to gay marriage, Prejean claimed she was victimized for her answer.
In perhaps a repeat of last year’s contest, Woolard lost the crown after answering a controversial question that may be unpopular with some, but reflects the opinion of the majority of Americans.
Woolard lost out to 24-year-old Miss Michigan, Rima Fakih.
Fakih, an Arab-American from Dearborn, Michican took home the crown, despite nearly tripping on her evening gown.
Pageant officials said historical pageant records were not detailed enough to show whether Fakih was the first Arab American, Muslim or immigrant to win the Miss USA title. The pageant started in 1952 as a local bathing suit competition in Long Beach, California.
During the interview portion, Fakih was also asked a question on a hot-button issue. She was asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance, and she said she believed it should because it's costly.
"I believe that birth control is just like every other medication, even though it's a controlled substance," Fakih said.
Miss Virginia USA Samantha Evelyn Casey was the second runner-up, Miss Colorado USA Jessica Hartman was third runner-up, and Miss Maine USA Katherine Ashley Whittier was the fourth runner-up. ( Associated Press )
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