Miss USA 2012: Miss Rhode Island Gets Twitter Question and Crown

Live from Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, the Miss USA 2012 Pageant kicked off by introducing the 51 contestants. The event was hosted by Andy Cohen and Giuliana Racic with Kelly Osbourne and Jeannie Mai, as special correspondents. The judges: actress, Marilu Henner; comedian and 2012 Celebrity Apprentice, Arsenio Hall; TV personality, Ali Fedotowksy; TV personality, Rob Kardashian; 2008 Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza; singer, Joe Jonas; TV chef, Cat Cora; and fashion consultant, George Kotsiopoulos.

We got right down to the Top 16 after the first commercial break. Prior to the show, a separate panel of judges picked these ladies in a preliminary competition. The Top 16 were announced in random order:

1. Miss Tennessee – 23-year-old Jessica Hibler
2. Miss Alabama – 23-year-old Katherine Webb
3. Miss Ohio – 23-year-old Audrey Bolte
4. Miss Michigan – 21-year-old Kristen Danyal
5. Miss Maryland – 27-year-old Nana Meriwether
6. Miss New Jersey – 20-year-old Michelle Leonardo
7. Miss Texas – 21-year-old Brittany Booker
8. Miss Colorado – 24-year-old Marybel Gonzalez
9. Miss Oklahoma – 20-year-old Lauren Taylor Lundeen
10. Miss Louisiana – 22-year-old Erin Edmiston
11. Miss Maine – 25-year-old Rani Williamson
12. Miss Georgia – 22-year-old Jazz Wilkins
13. Miss South Carolina – 27-year-old Erika Powell
14. Miss Rhode Island – 20-year-old Olivia Culpo
15. Miss Nevada – 26-year-old Jade Kelsall
16. Miss Arkansas – 21-year-old Kelsey Dow (chosen online by fans)

Miss Iowa, Rebecca Hodge, won Miss Congeniality; and Miss Oregon, Alaina Bergsma, won Miss Photogenic.

After the swimsuit competition, Tennessee, Michigan, Louisiana, Maine, South Carolina and Arkansas were eliminated, and we were down to the Top 10. That was narrowed down by the evening gown competition, Alabama, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma were eliminated and the Top 5 were announced in this order:

1. Miss Georgia – 22-year-old Jazz Wilkins
2. Miss Nevada – 26-year-old Jade Kelsall
3. Miss Rhode Island – 20-year-old Olivia Culpo
4. Miss Maryland – 27-year-old Nana Meriwether
5. Miss Ohio – 23-year-old Audrey Bolte

The fate of these 5 beauties would be decided by the question round. Andy Cohen quipped they must survive it “without making a viral video.”

Miss Georgia picked Cat Cora who asked: “The Mayor of New York City plans to ban the sale of large sugary drinks. Does this go too far?” We would have said, yeah, Cora, you can’t super-size your coke but you can buy a fifth of whiskey? But Miss Georgia said it didn’t go too far because they were unhealthy even though she loves a Big Gulp from 7-11.

Miss Nevada picked Arsenio Hall, who asked: “In a recent appearance on ‘Watch What Happens Live,’ 6 Miss USA contestants out of 11 were made fun of for being unable to name the current Vice President. How do you explain so many of them not knowing this answer?” Jade said the girls do know, they were just bushed. They weren’t taking her word for it — they made her name the current VP.

Miss Rhode Island selected the twitter question. Rob Kardashian was the designated Twitter judge: “Would you feel it would be fair that a transgender woman wins the Mss USA title over a natural born woman?” Olivia replied that she accepts it because today, there are so many people who undergo these surgeries in order to have a happier life, while at the same time she understands why some people would be opposed to it.

Miss Maryland picked Joe Jonas, who wanted to know her view of “Toddlers and Tiaras” — “a TV series in which children compete in beauty pageants.” Nana replied that while stereotypical shows like that paint a bad side to pageantry, she and her fellow contestants are strong and beautiful women.

Miss Ohio got Marilu Henner “Do you think women are depicted on television in an accurate and positive way? And please give us an example.” Audrey believes some movies showcase positive women. Others may show them in a negative light, but turn it around by the end of the movie to show that “woman power.” As an example, she cited “Pretty Woman,” where Julia Roberts, she said, was having a rough time but “she came out on top and she didn’t let anybody stay in her path.” Not so sure Julia Roberts’ character was having a hard time though – she’s a hooker who starts out with a $3,000 offer from Richard Gere’s character to be his escort for a week. Interesting choice at any rate.

The results were announced

4th runner up: Miss Georgia, Jazz Wilkins
3rd runner up: Miss Nevada – Jade Kelsall
2nd runner up: Miss Ohio – Audrey Bolte

They really drew it out for the final two until the girls were beginning to have anxiety attacks. Just kidding, but they were beginning to notice the intentional delay …

Miss USA 2012 is Olivia Culpo, Miss Rhode Island, and Miss Maryland, Nana Meriwether, is the first runner up.

So what do you think? Did Olivia give the best answer?