Miss Universe 2012: Olivia Culpo Wins Beauty Pageant For The United States [Gallery]

Miss Rhode Island is now Miss Universe 2012. Olivia Culpo, 20, beat out 88 other women tonight to win the annual beauty contest at the Planet Hollywood casino in Las Vegas.

Janine Tugonon, Miss Philippines, came in second, and Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, Miss Venezuela, took third.

According to the Huffington Post, Culpo is the first contestant to win the annual beauty pageant since 1997 when Brook Lee won the right to be called Miss Universe.

Culop’s biography on MissUniverse.com states:

“Olivia Culpo grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island as the middle child of five. With two avid musicians as parents, her and her siblings each studied different instruments throughout their childhood, Olivia’s choice instrument being the cello. Her other interests include movies, museums, concerts, and making people laugh. One day, Olivia hopes to land a career in either film or television.”

Culpo wins an undisclosed salary, limitless beauty products, a new wardrobe and a luxury apartment in New York City. But it isn’t all fun and games. Culpo will be using her Miss Universe 2012 crown to travel the world and raise awareness for HIV / AIDS prevention.

Here are some photo of Olivia Culpo being crowned Miss Universe 2012.

[Images Via MissUniverse.com]

The video of Olivia Culpo’s crowning moment isn’t available yet but Miss Universe has released a few videos from the pageant so far.

Here’s a video of the National Costume Show.

Here’s a video of all the girls in bikinis.

And here’s a special holiday greeting from the girls of the Miss Universe 2012 Beauty Pageant.