– Written by: The Puerto Rican Barbie (@KEthePRBARBiE)
This past Sunday, America watched as the new Miss USA was crowned for the 60th year in a row. Miss California, Alyssa Campanella, won over the line-up of judges who included stars like Lil Jon, Maverick’s Tyson Chandler, and Real Housewives of NJ’s, Caroline Manzo. The fiery red head beat out the other 50 contestants in three categories. For swimwear she strutted across the stage in a tiny blue polka dot bikini. Next, she wowed the judges and audience in a stunning dark green beaded evening gown and then answered a question about legalizing marijuana from Caroline Manzo for the interview segment. The 21-year old, 5’9 beauty, nailed every aspect of the competition and won her title as Miss USA 2011 accordingly. Miss Tennessee Ashley Durham was the first runner-up, while contestants from Alabama and Texas placed third and fourth.
Alyssa, originally from Manalapan, NJ, was a former Miss Teen New Jersey, and Miss Teen USA 2007 runner up. She stated she has been doing pageants since she was 15 and at 16 began modeling. By 2009 she had already became the face of “Wet N Wild” Cosmetics. An extremely intelligent young woman, Alyssa graduated high school a year early and received a scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in Manhattan where she studied acting. Oh and that gorgeous red hair? Not natural. She’s originally a blonde but had to dye it 6-years ago for a role she had in a play, and decided to keep it that way. Great choice!
Make sure you watch Ms. Campanella represent for the USA at this year’s Miss Universe pageant being held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011.
