So excited was Olivia Culpo, Miss USA, to be crowned Miss Universe 2012 on Wednesday night, she almost took off on her victory walk without that beautiful crown on her head.
Fortunately, a reassuring touch from Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes, was all it took to rein in the new reigning pageant queen, who then presented herself to the Las Vegas audience with all appropriate sparkle in place.
"I think that in spite of all the tragedy that has happened in this country lately, it's an honor to be able to uplift the country," Culpo said backstage, referencing the shootings in Newtown, Conn. "I really hope that this will raise everybody's spirits a little."
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Culpo, who represented Rhode Island in the Miss USA pageant in June, is a cellist and sophomore at Boston University. She's the middle child of five, and according to the New York Daily News surprised her family by entering the Miss Rhode Island pageant in the first place, not getting serious...