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.
By Brian Hews
(Las Vegas) Miss USA Olivia Culpo a 20 year old who grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island as the middle child of five was crowned Miss Universe 2012 on Wednesday night in Las Vegas.
Culpo edged out Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon who finished as First Runner Up.
Culpo is the first Miss USA to win the Miss Universe Pageant since 1997 when Brooke Lee captured the crown.
The new Miss Universe is an avid cello player and interests include movies, museums, concerts, and “making people laugh” according to her official pageant bio.
It has been reported that Culpo dates Olympic swimming Gold Medalist Ryan Lochte,
Tugonon was raised in the Bataan Province, where she grew up with her mother, sister and grandparents in the island nation of the Philippines.
Tugonon had the support of the crowd in Las Vegas and after the crowning, several hoots and boos could be heard during the world-wide broadcast.
The new Miss Universe will travel the world championing for her cause alliances, namely HIV/AIDS prevention.
With 20-year-old Culpo being crowned the new Miss Universe, 2012 Miss USA runner-up Nana Meriwether of Georgia becomes the new 2012 Miss USA. Culpo is the first Miss Universe from the USA since 1997.
The official results included Fourth runner-up Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus; Third runner-up Miss Australia Renae Ayris; and Second runner-up is Miss Venezuela Irene Esser.
