Miss Rhode Island Crowned Miss USA 2012

By Danielle Canada
Jun 04, 2012
11:07 am

Miss USA 2012 Crowned

After donning a skimpy swimsuit, an elegant ball gown and enduring a difficult question, one lucky lady was victorious in Sunday’s Miss USA 2012 pageant. Olivia Culpo, 20, of Cranston, R.I., took home the coveted crown and beat out 50 girls for the top spot. Culpo, who was established as the odds-on favorite by the Wynn Las Vegas sports book prior to the competition, beat out Maryland’s Nana Meriwether for the top spot. If Culpo cannot fulfill her duties, Meriwether will represent the USA at the Miss Universe pageant in December.

During judging, Culpo was given a tough question via Twitter about whether someone who is transgender should be allowed to participate in pageants. After a quick beat, she responded, “I do think it would be fair, but I understand if people could be apprehensive. I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country.”

Judges for last night’s competition included Arsenio Hall and Rob Kardashian. Two black contestants made it the top five of the pageant; Miss Maryland and Miss Georgia.