Royal Oak Beauty Queen Defends Miss USA, Not Drunken Driving

A former Miss USA, who was arrested Saturday on suspicion of drunken driving, realizes she made a big mistake, according to former

, 26, was arrested by Highland Park Police on Woodward Avenue early Saturday morning and charged with misdemeanor drunken driving.

Fakih’s attorney, Doraid Elder, told the Detroit Free Press that Fakih realized she shouldn’t be driving and was pulling over when police stopped her.

In 2010, Fakih was t

Pierce, who was also a former Miss Royal Oak, has known Fakih for four years. The two have modeled together in auto shows and area fashion shows, and when Pierce competed for the she sought Fakih’s advice.

“She set me up with an interview coach and gave me pointers on clothes,” Pierce said.

Pierce heard from her friend on Tuesday.

“I texted Rima. I told her I was sorry about the news,” Pierce said. “She texted me back and told me that it was a big mistake, and it is going to be a huge lesson for her.”

After the news of Fakih's DUI broke, the beauty queen's Facebook fans had mixed reactions:

• Jenan Mohammad wrote: The only real problem is she needs to stop touting the religion of Islam and her being a role model for Muslim Arab women in the media when her actions go against the very grain of our faith. 
• Jay Kamm wrote: Rima, Don't worry everyone makes a mistake. It happens! It does not define you or what you stand for.
• Hussain Dalal wrote: You should be shamed to call yourself Muslim!

“I think some people are trying to made her look as bad as possible. She is such a really fun girl,” Pierce said. “I just love her.”

While Pierce is quick to defend her friend, she doesn't condone driving impaired.

“Drunk driving is a serious offense with serious consequences,” she said. “I know that. But I also know she made a mistake that lots of people have made. It’s unfortunate. But no one knows what was going on that night.”

Pierce said Fakih “is not a saint,” but "she isn't Lindsay Lohan.”

“She is not a person who thinks she can do something wrong and expect nothing to happen to her,” she said.

“I think she’ll learn from this,” Pierce said. She thinks Fakih will end up using the whole ordeal as a teaching moment. “I can see her turning this whole thing around and promoting designated drivers or something like that.”

“I support her 100 percent,” Pierce said.