Alyssa Marie Campanella (born March 21, 1990) is an American model, blogger, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2011. Having previously been crowned Miss California USA 2011, Campanella was the sixth woman representing California to win the Miss USA title. As Miss USA, Campanella represented the United States at Miss Universe 2011, where she placed in the top sixteen. A native of New Jersey, Campanella was also crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2007 and placed as the first runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2007. Since completing her reign as Miss USA, Campanella has launched her travel blog The A List, where she writes about trips and vacations to various destinations. Early life and education Campanella was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and was raised in nearby Manalapan Township, New Jersey. She is of mixed Italian, Danish, and Lithuanian descent; her father's family originates in Naples, while her maternal grandfather emigrated from Espergærde in Denmark to the United States in the 1950s. Campanella attended Freehold Township High School in Freehold Township, New Jersey, graduating in 2008. At age 17, she took classes at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, and also later attended the Institute of Culinary Education, both in New York City. Pageantry Miss Teen USA In October 2006, Campanella was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2007 and represented her state at Miss Teen USA 2007, broadcast live from Pasadena, California on August 24, 2007, placing first runner up to eventual winner, Hilary Cruz of Colorado. She is currently the highest placing New Jersey teen state titleholder in the Miss Teen USA competition. She is the most successful contestant from New Jersey - having placed 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA and later winning Miss USA (even though she represented California). Miss USA Campanella competed in the Miss New Jersey USA pageant twice, placing first runner-up in 2009, losing to Kaity Rodriguez and in the top fifteen in 2010. On November 21, 2010, she competed in the Miss California USA pageant and won the title and was crowned by outgoing titleholder Nicole Johnson. She was the first Miss Teen USA state delegate to represent California at Miss USA since Shauna Gambill in 1998. She was heavily favored by oddsmakers to win the title of Miss USA. On June 19, 2011, she won the Miss USA title in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is