Olivia Culpo, Miss Rhode Island USA, was crowned the winner at the 61st Annual Miss USA Competition held on June 3, 2012 in Las Vegas. Giuliana Rancic and Andy Cohen hosted the event which aired on NBC in front of an estimated worldwide viewing audience of 250 million.
From the Miss Universe Organization: “Olivia Culpo is a 19 year-old from Cranson, Rhode Island and is a sophomore at Boston University where she has made the Dean’s List every semester. She grew up in a musical environment. Culpo has played cello for 13 years, sings, and plays the piano. As a cellist, Olivia won seats in Boston Symphony Hall and New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.”
The panel of judges included Chef Cat Cora, Ali Fedotowsky, Arsenio Hall, Marilu Henner, Joe Jonas, Rob Kardashian, George Kotsiopoulos, and Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza.
The Final Results:
First Runner Up: Miss Maryland USA, Nana Meriwether, will assume the duties of Miss USA 2012 if the titleholder is named Miss Universe 2012 or if for some reason Miss USA cannot fulfill her duties.
Second Runner Up: Miss Ohio USA, Audrey Bolte
Rest of Top Five:
Miss Georgia USA, Jasmyn “Jazz” Wilkins
Miss Nevada USA, Jade Kelsall
Rest of Top Ten:
Miss Alabama USA, Katherine Webb
Miss Oklahoma USA, Lauren Lundeen
Miss Texas USA, Brittany Booker
Miss Colorado USA, Marybel Gonzalez
Miss New Jersey USA, Michelle Leonardo
Rest of Top Sixteen:
Miss Tennessee USA, Jessica Hibler
Miss Michigan USA, Kristin Danyal
Miss Louisiana USA, Erin Edmiston
Miss Maine USA, Rani Williamson
Miss South Carolina USA, Erika Powell
Miss Arkansas USA, Kelsey Dow [Winner of the Fan Vote]
MISS PHOTOGENIC USA(TM) Award: Miss Oregon USA, Alaina Bergsma.
MISS CONGENIALITY USA(TM) Award: Miss Iowa USA, Rebecca Hodge.
Source: The Miss Universe Organization
