( CNN ) -- Miss Rhode Island , Olivia Culpo , won the title of Miss USA 2012 on Sunday night , beating a field of 50 high-heeled contestants at the pageant held in Las Vegas . Wearing a purple , flowing gown , the 20-year-old Boston University sophomore looked at ease in the final rounds of competition , dancing alongside singer Akon during his live performance with the five finalists . A cellist for 13 years , Culpo emphasized the importance of music education . She has performed at Boston Symphony Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City . The first runner-up was Miss Maryland , Nana Meriwhether . The remaining three finalists were Miss Ohio , Audrey Bolte ; Miss Nevada , Jade Kelsall ; and Miss Georgia , Jasmyn `` Jazz '' Wilkins . For the first time , viewers were able to ask Miss USA contestants a question via Twitter during the show . The pageant was broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas . Contestants representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia competed in swimsuit , evening gown and interview competitions . Miss USA 2011 , Alyssa Campanella , crowned the winner . This year 's panel of celebrity judges included chef Cat Cora ; talk-show host and `` Celebrity Apprentice '' winner Arsenio Hall ; musician Joe Jonas ; actress Marilu Henner ; television personality Rob Kardashian ; Dayana Mendoza , Miss Universe 2008 ; George Kotsiopoulous , co-host of E ! 's `` Fashion Police '' ; and Ali Fedotowsky , formerly of `` The Bachelorette . '' Culpo will represent the United States in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant .
Olivia Culpo , 20 , of Rhode Island is the new Miss USA . The pageant was held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night and will air live on NBC from 9 to 11 p.m. ET. Online voting from viewers returned this year . Judges included chef Cat Cora and Arsenio Hall .