Olivia Culpo, Miss USA and B.U. Student, is Miss Universe [PHOTO]

The new Miss Universe is from Cranston. Rhode Island.  20-year-old Olivia Culpo out-shined dozens of contestants from 6 continents to bring the crown back to the U.S.   Culpo beat out 88 competitors Wednesday Night at the Planet Hollywood Casino on the Las Vegas strip. 

Last year, Culpo won Miss Rhode Island wearing a rented $20 dress.   She is the daughter of 2 professional musicians, and spent her summers at band camp.  The Boston University sophomore has played cello at performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Her father has called Olivia the “nerdiest” of all his children, and admitted he was quite surprised when she told him that she was entering the “Miss Rhode Island’ competition.

This is the first time since 1997 that Miss USA has won Miss Universe!