Miss USA Olivia Culpo waves after being crowned during the Miss Universe pageant competition at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss USA Olivia Culpo waves after being crowned during the Miss Universe pageant competition at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus competes during the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Shilpa Singh, Miss India, walks the stage during the swimsuit portion of the Miss Universe competition. Photo: AP
Miss Australia Renae Ayris competes during the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss USA Olivia Culpo poses during the swimsuit portion of the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon competes in the swimsuit portion of the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss South Africa 2012, Melinda Bam, competes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show. Photo: AP
Miss Canada Adwoa Yamoah performs onstage at the 2012 Miss Universe National Costume Show at PH Live in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss Namibia 2012 Tsakana Nkandih competes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss Angola 2012, Marcelina Vahekeni competes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show. Photo: AP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, walks on stage during a performance by Australian singer Timomatic, during the Miss Universe pageant. Photo: AP
Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon competes in the swimsuit portion of the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss Tanzania 2012, Winfrida Dominic, competes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show. Photo: AP
Miss Angola Marcelina Vahekeni competes in an evening gown of her choice during the Evening Gown Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss South Africa 2012 Melinda Bam competes in an evening gown of her choice during the Evening Gown Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, turns on stage during the evening gown competition during the Miss Universe pageant. Photo: AP
Miss China Xu Ji Dan poses with hosts Andy Cohen (L) and Giuliana Rancic after receiving the Best National Costume award during the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss Ghana 2012 Gifty Ofori competes in an evening gown of her choice during the Evening Gown Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Reuters
Venezuela's Irene Sofia Esser Quintero reacts as she is named one of the final 16 contestants during the Miss Universe pagean. Photo: AP
Miss Australia Renae Ayris is escorted by Australian singer/songwriter and dancer Timomatic during the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss Ethiopia 2012 Helen Getachew competes in an evening gown of her choice during the Evening Gown Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Reuters
Miss Namibia 2012 Tsakana Nkandih competes in an evening gown of her choice during the Evening Gown Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss USA Olivia Culpo (R) reacts with Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon after winning the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss USA Olivia Culpo (R) is congratulated by Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon after winning the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Miss USA Olivia Culpo reacts as she is crowned by Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes of Angola during the 2012 Miss Universe pageant competition at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Photo: Reuters
Published Dec 20, 2012
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A 20-year-old beauty queen who plays the cello was crowned Miss Universe.
It's the eighth time an American has won the pageant where the world's most beautiful women parade in bikinis and ball gowns.
Olivia Culpo, 20, a brunette from Rhode Island, was chosen by a 10-judge panel from 89 contestants representing countries ranging from India to Kosovo and Britain.
