LAS VEGAS, (Reuters) – A 20-year-old beauty queen who plays the cello and is a breast cancer advocate was crowned Miss Universe yesterday, 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.
Olivia Culpo
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.
Culpo takes the place of last year’s winner Leila Lopes, who was the first ever Miss Universe from Angola. Miss Guatemala, Laura Godoy, was chosen Miss Congeniality after the two-hour pageant that featured live performances by U.S. pop group Train and Nigerian-born Australian singer and dancer Timomatic.
Contestants must be aged between 18 and 27, unmarried and with no children.