21-year-old Alyssa Campanella representing California has won the Miss USA crown at the annual beauty pageant in Las Vegas on Sunday. Red-haired Alyssa will represent the nation in this year's Miss Universe pageant to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 12.
A full-time model, Alyssa was born and brought up in New Jersey. She represented New Jersey at the Miss Teen USA contest in 2007, Reuters reported.
Alyssa was among the favorites by pageant experts. She was crowned by current Miss USA, Rima Fakih. Rima, a Lebanese-born Muslim, was the first Arab-American to win the title.
Stunning Alyssa won the crown after she walked across the stage in a blue bikini with white polka dots. Asked by judge about legalizing marijuana, she answered saying that she didn't think it should be fully legalized, however, for medical purposes it should be available to those who need it.
Miss Tennessee Ashley Durham came in second, while Miss Alabama and Miss Texas came in third and fourth respectively.
Miss California Alyssa Campanella (C) reacts as she is chosen as the last of the final four finalists during the 2011 Miss USA pageant in the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 19, 2011. Miss Hawaii Angela Byrd (L) and and Miss Maryland Allyn Rose stand by.REUTERS/Steve MarcusMiss California Alyssa Campanella reacts after being crowned Miss USA during the 2011 Miss USA pageant in the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada June 19, 2011.REUTERS/Steve MarcusMiss California Alyssa Campanella reacts as she is crowned Miss USA 2011 by Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih during the Miss USA pageant in the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada June 19, 2011.REUTERS/Steve MarcusMiss Alabama Madeline Mitchell (L-R), Miss Hawaii Angela Byrd, Miss California Alyssa Campanella and Miss Maryland Allyn Rose react after making the semi-final cut during the 2011 Miss USA pageant in the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada June 19, 2011.REUTERS/Steve MarcusAlyssa Campanella won the crown after she walked across the stage in a blue bikini with white polka dots.missuniverse.com21-year-old Alyssa Campanella wins Miss USA crowntwirlit.comMiss California Alyssa Campanellatwirlit.com