Miss Universe 2012 Is Miss USA Olivia Culpo

For the first time in more than a decade, the Miss Universe crown is coming back to the US. Miss USA Olivia Culpo has been crowned with the diamond and pearl tiara by the Miss Universe Organization.

Hailing from Rhode Island, the 20-year-old stunner goes to the Boston University and describes herself as a “cellist-nerd.”

According to the announcement on the official webpage of the beauty pageant, Olivia isn’t just very talented: she’s also very ambitious as well.

“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 bio reads.

“Her other interests include movies, museums, concerts, and making people laugh. One day, Olivia hopes to land a career in either film or television,” adds the same.

Now that Culpo is Miss Universe, she is expected to start seeing to her responsibilities soon.

“The new Miss Universe 2012 is Olivia Culpo from USA. Over the next year, she will travel the world championing for her cause alliances, namely HIV/AIDS prevention,” another statement on the same webpage says.

Speaking of her win, which sees the Miss Universe crown return to the US after 15 years, when Brook Lee won it, Culpo also said a word about the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, which saw 20 children and 6 adults shot and killed by a 20-year-old man.

“It's such an honor to be representing the USA in an international beauty contest in spite of all the tragedy that's happened in this country lately. I really hope that this this will raise everybody's spirits a little,” she said.

Runner-up was Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon, while Miss Venezuela Irene Sofia Esser came in third.