2012 Miss USA: Olivia Culpo, Miss Rhode Island, Wins Beauty Pageant [Video]
Olivia Culpo is the new Miss USA. The Rhode Island beauty, who describes herself as a nerdy Audrey Hepburn, was crowned Miss USA last night in Las Vegas.
Culpo said:
“I was just so surprised, so shocked, so honored to be there.”
Culpo was given a very topical question during the Q&A portion of the night. The Miss Rhode Island contestant was asked if it would be fair for a transgender woman to win the Miss USA contest over a naturally born woman. (The question was referring to Jenna Talackova, who was originally disqualified from the contest.)
Culpo said:
“I do think that that would be fair, but I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road because there is a tradition of natural-born women… But today where there are so many surgeries and so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life, I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country.”
Donald Trump, who owns the Miss USA pageant, told Fox News that the transgender question was among the hardest in this year’s contest.
Trump said:
“Whoever gets that one … that’s a tough one… She gave a great answer.”
People Magazine reports that Culpo will now enter into the Miss Universe contest. If Culpo can not fulfill her duties as Miss USA, she will be replaced by Nana Meriwether, Miss Maryland, who came in second.
Audrey Bolte, Miss Ohio; Jade Kelsall, Miss Nevada; and Jasmyn Wilkins, Miss Georgia completed the top five.
Here’s a video of Olivia Culpo winning the Miss USA Pageant.
