Miss USA 2012 Winner Is Olivia Culpo: Meet Miss Rhode Island And Other Contestants [PHOTOS]

By Nadine DeNinno | June 04 2012 12:08 AM

Photo: Reuters

Olivia Culpo

Miss Rhode Island, 20-year-old Olivia Culpo, was named the winner of the 2012 Miss USA pageant on Sunday, beating out 51 other contestants at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Culpo was crowned by Miss USA 20122 Alyssa Campanella from California and will represent the U.S. in the Miss Universe 61st annual pageant this year. View the slideshow to see photos of Olivia Culpo.

Photo: Reuters

Yemeni security fire at protesters, killing two

Members of the Houthi insurgent group in north Yemen said armed government soldiers forces fired rockets and artillery on their anti-government protest, killed two people and injured seven others.

During a peaceful protest this Friday morning ... demanding the fall of the regime, an end to corruption and political change, a military site fired rockets at a group of protesters and hit dozens of people, Houthi rebels said in a statement.

However, Al Jazeera reported that security forces contradicted the Houthi's account of events. They claimed that armed Houthi tribesmen tried to break through one of the city's security checkpoints by force, after which clashes ensued, three tribesmen and four policemen were injured.

The incident occurred in Semla in the northern province of Amran in which demonstrators demanded the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled for more than three decades, and an end to political corruption.

Other rallies have occurred in Sanaa and Aden.

The Houthi are Zaidi Shia Muslims and have been accused of receiving backing from Iran (a Shia-dominated country). The group joined the anti-government movement last month.

Separately, Saleh has turned down a proposal by his opposition to gradually move out of power by the end of this year. He insists he will stay in power until his term ends in 2013.

The opposition and the president are embroiled in a war of words. Each has a proposal and each proposal was rejected by the other side, an Al Jazeera reporter said on Friday.

Photo: Reuters

Miss Rhode Island, 20-year-old Olivia Culpo, was named the winner of the 2012 Miss USA pageant on Sunday, beating out 51 other contestants who competed at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Culpo was crowned by Miss USA 20122 Alyssa Campanella from California and will represent the U.S. in the Miss Universe 61st annual pageant this year.

Contestants in the Donald Trump-owned 2012 Miss USA pageant competed in the swimsuit, evening gown and interview sections, where Culpo wore a purple bikini and a purple belted evening gown. Hosted by Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic, the panel of judges included chef Cat Cora, TV personality Arsenio Hall, singer Joe Jonas and reality star Rob Kardashian with performances by Akon and Cobra Starship.

During a question and answer session, Kardashian asked Culpo her feelings about transgender contestants, to which she answered she believes it would be fair for a transgender contestant to be named Miss Universe in light of the controversy earlier this year when Jenna Talackova, a contestant in the Miss Canada competition, was disqualified for being born a man.

Would it be fair if a transgender woman won the Miss USA title? Kardashian asked.

I do think it would be fair ... Culpo said. She said she would be in favor because there are so many people who have a need to change for a happier life. I do accept that because I believe it's a free country.

Her answer was received with a heavy applause by the audience.

The top 10 finalists were: Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio, Colorado, New Jersey, Texas, Rhode Island, Nevada, Maryland and Georgia. Miss Iowa Rebecca Hodge was awarded Miss Congeniality while Miss Oregon Alaina Bergsman was awarded Miss Photogenic.

According to her bio on the Miss USA website, 20-year-old Olivia Culpo is a sophomore at Boston University and has made the Dean's List every semester. Culpo, whose parents are musicians, has been playing the cello since elementary school. Culpo admitted that when she was young, she was short and chubby, and spent summers at band camp for the cello.

View the slideshow to see photos of Miss USA Olivia Culpo and other contestants.