Miss USA crowned Miss Universe 2012 in 8th American win
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo walks on stage after being named Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss USA Olivia Culpo (centre) is congratulated by Miss Teen USA 2012 Logan West (left) and Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes from Angola after being crowned during the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (centre), smiles for the television camera as she is congratulated by other contestants after being crowned as Miss Universe during the Miss Universe competition on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (centre), is congratulated by other contestants after being crowned as Miss Universe during the Miss Universe competition, Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, waves to the crowd after being crowned as Miss Universe during the Miss Universe competition on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (right), reacts beside Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (left), after being named Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (right), is congratulated by Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (left), after Culpo was named Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo is surrounded by contestants after being crowned Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, is crowned Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss France, Marie Payet, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Australia, Renae Ayris, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Russia, Elizabeth Golovanova, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Brazil, Gabriela Markus, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (right) speaks during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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The remaining five contestants (from left), Miss Brazil, Gabriela Markus; Miss USA, Olivia Culpo; Miss Australia, Renae Ayris; Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon; and Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero; stand together during the Miss Universe competition, Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP
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Miss Brazil, Gabriela Markus (left); Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (second left); Miss Australia, Renae Ayris (centre); Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (second right); and Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero (right) stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Australia, Renae Ayris (left); Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (centre); and Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero (right) stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Malaysia 2012 Kimberley Leggett competes during the swimsuit competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada December 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Miss Korea Sung-hye Lee competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada December 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada December 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Miss Singapore 2012 Lynn Tan competes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada December 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Miss China 2012, Ji Dan Xu, competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show on Dec 13, 2012 at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Philippines 2012, Janine Tugonon, competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show on Dec 13, 2012 at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Thailand 2012, Nutpimon Farida Waller, competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show on Dec 13, 2012 at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Vietnam 2012, Diem Huong Luu, competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show on Dec 13, 2012 at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Universe contestants stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Universe contestants stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Miss Universe contestants stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo walks on stage after being named Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss USA Olivia Culpo (centre) is congratulated by Miss Teen USA 2012 Logan West (left) and Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes from Angola after being crowned during the Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (centre), smiles for the television camera as she is congratulated by other contestants after being crowned as Miss Universe during the Miss Universe competition on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (centre), is congratulated by other contestants after being crowned as Miss Universe during the Miss Universe competition, Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, waves to the crowd after being crowned as Miss Universe during the Miss Universe competition on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (right), reacts beside Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (left), after being named Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (right), is congratulated by Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (left), after Culpo was named Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo is surrounded by contestants after being crowned Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, is crowned Miss Universe 2012 during the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss France, Marie Payet, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Australia, Renae Ayris, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Russia, Elizabeth Golovanova, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Brazil, Gabriela Markus, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, stands on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (right) speaks during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
The remaining five contestants (from left), Miss Brazil, Gabriela Markus; Miss USA, Olivia Culpo; Miss Australia, Renae Ayris; Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon; and Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero; stand together during the Miss Universe competition, Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. -- PHOTO: AP
Miss Brazil, Gabriela Markus (left); Miss USA, Olivia Culpo (second left); Miss Australia, Renae Ayris (centre); Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (second right); and Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero (right) stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Australia, Renae Ayris (left); Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon (centre); and Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero (right) stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Malaysia 2012 Kimberley Leggett competes during the swimsuit competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada December 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Miss Korea Sung-hye Lee competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada December 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada December 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Miss Singapore 2012 Lynn Tan competes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada December 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Miss China 2012, Ji Dan Xu, competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show on Dec 13, 2012 at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Philippines 2012, Janine Tugonon, competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show on Dec 13, 2012 at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Thailand 2012, Nutpimon Farida Waller, competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show on Dec 13, 2012 at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Vietnam 2012, Diem Huong Luu, competes in her Kooey Australia swimwear and Chinese Laundry shoes during the Swimsuit Competition of the 2012 Miss Universe Presentation Show on Dec 13, 2012 at PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Universe contestants stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Universe contestants stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Miss Universe contestants stand on stage during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Holywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
LAS VEGAS (REUTERS) - A 20-year-old beauty queen who plays the cello and is a breast cancer advocate was crowned Miss Universe on Wednesday, the eighth time an American has won the pageant where the world’s most beautiful women parade in bikinis and ball gowns.
Olivia Culpo, 20, a brunette from Rhode Island, was chosen by a 10-judge panel from 89 contestants representing countries ranging from India to Kosovo and Britain.
Culpo, wearing a red, long-sleeved dress for her final look, was the eighth winner from the United States in the contest’s 60-year history, and the first Miss USA to take the title since 1997.
Miss Philippines, 23-year-old Janine Tugonon, was the runner-up and Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, came third after the top five answered brief questions posed by the judges.
