Miss USA 2012: Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island Wins After Answering Transgender Question

Miss USA 2012 Winner

Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo was crowned Miss USA 2012 on Sunday, besting 50 other lovely candidates of the prestigious beauty pageant.

During the make-or-break interview round of the final five, the 20-year old Boston University sophomore won over the judges with her answer when asked about whether "it would be fair that a transgender woman wins the Miss USA title over a natural-born woman."

She responded, "I do think that that would be fair, but I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road because there is a tradition of natural-born women, but today where there are so many surgeries and so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life, I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country."

Culpo, who describes herself as a "nerd", is set to take a break from her studies for a year to tackle her duties as Miss USA and prepare for the 61st Miss Universe pageant this coming December.

Rounding out the 2012 Miss USA top five contestants were first runner-up Nana Meriwether of Maryland, second runner-up Audrey Bolte of Ohio, third runner-up Jade Kelsall of Nevada and fourth runner-up Jasmyn Wilkins of Georgia.