Culpo represented the United States at the Miss Universe pageant that was held on December 19 , 2012 , in Las Vegas , Nevada . She won the competition , becoming the eighth representative from the United States to win the title and the first since 1997 . Culpo has also became the first Rhode Islander to win the title . She succeeded outgoing titleholder Leila Lopes from Angola
Miss Universe
Miss Universe 2012
Olivia Culpo