Miss USA 2012 has found itself a winner in Rhode Island native Olivia Culpo, Boston University sophomore and self-proclaimed modern-day Audrey Hepburn. In order to properly address her duties and responsibilities as Miss USA, Culpo will take a year off from school. Additionally, she’ll be preparing to represent the country in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant this December. This lady’s plate just become impossibly full.
During the generally uncomfortable question and answer segment, Culpo was handed a doozy: Did she think it would be fair if a transgender woman took home the title of Miss USA? That question would cause most people to stutter and stumble as they attempted to find a politically correct way to address the issue. Culpo, however, seemed to handle the inquiry with the skill and grace of a seasoned professional.
“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,” Culpo explained. “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.”
Trump, who thought the question was tough, admitted that she handled it gracefully.”Whoever gets that one … that’s a tough one,” he said. “She gave a great answer.”
Culpo, however, wasn’t the only one going home with an award. Miss Oregon USA Alaina Bergsma won Most Photogenic, while Miss Iowa USA Rebecca Hodge was named Miss Congeniality. Both ladies took home a cool $1,000 for their troubles. Additionally, these two ladies, along with other contestants, took part in the “Call Me Maybe” video you see embedded below. Don’t be ashamed if you want to watch it. I promise nobody’s judging you.