If you watched the Miss USA competition a few days ago, you will know that Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island won the pageant and will be competing in Miss Universe 2012.

The pageant was not as exciting this year as the past few years, but fans were still following the competition nationwide, live from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada.

The hosts of the competition this year were TV personalities Giuliana Rancic and Andy Cohen. Rancic looked stunning, even as it was recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

A very interesting touch was that most of the competitors where wearing Sherri Hill Gowns. Many will not be familiar with Sherri Hill, but they specialize in prom and pageant evening dresses. The competitors this year looked as if they were very happy with dresses they were wearing – many looking exceptional in the designs.

Here’s how the competition went down. The night of the competition, the hosts introduced themselves and then they introduced correspondents who this year were fashion expert Jeannie Mai from “How Do I Look?” and  media personality and singer, Kelly Osbourne.

Then came the fashion show introducing the 51 contestants, who were then narrowed down to 16. This was followed by the swimsuit competition, which narrowed the field down to 10 contestants.

The New York-based band Cobra Starship performed during the evening gown competition.

When it came down to the results, the second runner-up was Audrey Bolte from Ohio, first runner-up Maryland’s Nana Meriwether and the winner who will represent USA at this year’s Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo.

Here are some quick facts about this year’s winner:

• At Saint Mary Academy Bay View High school, an all girl high school, the seeds of her pageant dreams were first planted. Going to an all girl school gave her a chance to be a role model for the younger girls and after being crowned at the Rhode Island Miss USA competition in September 2011, she set off to compete for title of Miss USA
• Olivia originally hails from Cranston, Rhode Island and is one of five children
• Her mother is a professional musician and Olivia has been playing the cello for 13 years, having performed at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Olivia had been modeling prior to entering the pageant
• She loves the Italian language

Following the competition, there has been some controversy in connection with the resigning Miss Pennsylvania, Sheena Monnin, who claims the contest was rigged. Her allegation has cast a shadow over the important beauty pageant, so much that Donald Trump, co-owner of the miss USA Pageant, has said that he will “sue” the former Miss Pennsylvania for her claims. It has been suggested that the rigging accusations are a cover-up for miss Monnin’s opposition to competing against a transgender competitor.

Image Courtsey of  Gage Skidmore

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author

Isabel McKinney
I am a Citizen Journalist at Toonari Post, St. Petersburg, Florida. I'm a rising sophomore at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. I'm really interested in bowling, cheerleading, sailing, science, music, and geography are also a big part of my life. Reporting from St. Petersburg, USA.

2 Comments for Olivia Culpo Wins Miss USA, Controversy Follows

Doon

A well written article.

Reply

islay

isabel this is a fantastic analysis of the winner, how cool that you have written this and everyone in the world can see it ! see you soon x

Reply