Miss USA 2012 - Olivia Culpo Final Moments

The biggest star of the 61st annual Miss USA Pageant hails from the smallest state in the nation.

Olivia Culpo, a bubbly brunette beauty from Rhode Island, bested 50 other women to win Sunday night's 2012 Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas. 

Wearing a purple, flowing gown, the 20-year-old Boston University sophomore looked at ease in the final rounds of competition, dancing alongside singer Akon during his live performance with the five finalists.

Culpo, 20, of Cranston, dazzled judges with her poise and looks and didn't miss a beat (after a deep breath) when thrown a tough question via Twitter about whether someone who is transgender should be allowed to participate in pageants.

"I do think it would be fair, but I understand if people could be apprehensive," she said. "I do accept that because I believe it's a free country."

Culpo follows Alyssa Campanella and will represent the United States at Miss Universe in December.

Culpo said she was short and chubby as a girl, but blossomed after a growth spurt. She spent her summers at band camp after learning to play the cello in second grade. Her parents are also musicians, and her love for music saw her perform at Symphony Hall in Boston and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Culpo is a 2010 graduate of St. Mary Academy Bay View, an all-girls Catholic school in Riverside, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She said she comes from a big, Italian family and speaks some Italian. On her Twitter account, she describes herself as a nerd and model. "I was just so surprised, so shocked, so honored to be there," she said of her win.

The judge's panel included Chef Cat Cora, TV personality Arsenio Hall and singer Joe Jonas. Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic stepped in to host. Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella of California crowned Culpo her successor at the end of the night.

For the fifth year in a row, the Donald Trump-owned contest was held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Culpo was established as the odds-on favorite by the Wynn Las Vegas sports book prior to the competition at 9 to 1 odds.