They came from around the world to compete, but there could be only one. Defeating 88 international beauties, Miss USA, 20-year-old Olivia Culpo, was crowned Miss Universe Wednesday evening at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas Strip breaking a 15-year U.S. losing streak. She replaces outgoing champ Leila Lopes of Angola.
A sophomore at Boston University, Culpo didn't follow the traditional path to becoming beauty pageant royalty, according to Newsday. When she first entered the Miss Rhode Island contest last year, no one was more surprised by the news than her family, her father Peter said.
"We didn't know a thing about pageants," he revealed to Newsday.
Lack of know-how couldn't stop Culpo, though. She won Miss Rhode Island in a rented $20 dress with a hole in it, according to Newsday, and shortly after began a regime of working out, dieting, and studying current events on flashcards in preparation for winning the Miss USA crown.
Culpo proved herself early on in the Miss Universe pageant, rising above other competitors in preliminary contests to be named one of the 16 semifinalists who competed in the main show. She wowed judges in the swimsuit, evening wear, and interview competitions, which all saw cuts after each round.
According to Newsday, a mistake Culpo made during the evening gown competition may have actually helped her win over the judges. As she walked across the stage in her elegant gown, Culpo tripped, but hosts noted that she maintained her poise under pressure, and recovered quickly with grace.
Just before the winner was announced, judges asked Culpo if she had ever done something she regretted.
"I'd like to start off by saying that every experience no matter what it is, good or bad, you'll learn from it. That's just life," she said. "But something I've done I've regretted is probably picking on my siblings growing up, because you appreciate them so much more as you grow older."
Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon, came in second place. Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, who was named a favorite for the crown by Las Vegas Sun journalist Robin Leach, placed third.
Led by pageant owner/everyone's favorite belligerent conservative mouthpiece, Donald Trump, judges for the competition included "The Voice" mentor Cee Lo Green, San Francisco Giants MVP Pablo Sandoval, beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings, TV host Nigel Barker, actor/singer Diego Boneta, 2010 Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete of Mexicio, and reality TV personalities Lisa Vanderpump, Scott Disick, Brad Goreski, and Chef Masaharu Morimoto.
Following the show, Culpo spoke to reporters saying she hoped to bring the nation some happiness in the wake of the tragic school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.
"It's such an honor to be representing the USA in an international beauty contest in spite of all the tragedy that's happened in this country lately," she said. "I really hope that this will raise everybody's spirits a little."
With the title, Miss Culpo will also receive "an undisclosed salary, a wardrobe fit for a queen, a limitless supply of beauty products, and a luxury apartment in New York City," according to Newsday.
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