America is the land of opportunity, and people can live in America and be who they want to be. Don't deny your faith. Don't deny your ethnicity. Don't stereotype Muslim women, because as you can see with me, or in Lebanon, for example, beauty is appreciated.

I went out with some old friends and we were having fun. A couple of them were very intoxicated. When I went to leave, I refused to let them drive. So when I got pulled over, I was the driver.

My family is just an amazing melting pot of wonderful religions and faiths.

My father always said, "You don't know who you are until you know where you came from." That's one thing I always remembered. The other thing that my family always taught me was respect and reputation. You always respect yourself.

I'm Miss USA, not Miss Religion USA.

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 13 and it was something we weren't really aware of as a family.

They say 'expect the worst.' I say 'Expect the best and even better will happen.'