Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012, Rhode Island, United States

Culpo competed in the Miss USA 2012 competition on June 3, 2012, representing the state of Rhode Island. She won the title of Miss USA. She was crowned by the outgoing titleholder Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011. On July 6, 2012, the city of Cranston, Rhode Island held a special homecoming celebration honoring Culpo for her pageant win. A story time program was held at the Cranston Public Library at which Culpo read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein to a group of children. At an outdoor ceremony held at Cranston City Hall, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung presented Culpo with the key to the city.
• Miss Universe 2012
Culpo represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2012 pageant that was held on December 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She won the competition and was crowned Miss Universe 2012, becoming the eighth representative from the United States to win the title, the first since 1997. She succeeds outgoing titleholder, Leila Lopes from Angola.