History geek wins Miss USA

America's latest Miss USA winner is a California model and self-described history geek, obsessed with Britain's monarchy of centuries past but also a fan of Star Wars.
Alyssa Campanella of Los Angeles says on Twitter that she was born in the wrong time period and played the popular pig-exploding game Angry Birds backstage on her iPad before the pageant on Sunday night.
She hopes to keep modelling after her run as Miss USA is finished, depending on how she does representing the country at Miss Universe in September in Brazil.

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Crowned ... Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, is congratulated by Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih. Photo: AP

The celebrity she'd most like to meet, now that she's one herself? Pastry chef Buddy Valastro of TLC reality show Cake Boss.
"I love to bake cakes, and he's an Italian, and he acts like I do in the kitchen," the 21-year-old said after beating 50 other hopefuls in Miss USA's 60th pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
"Right now, I'm still kind of like — whoa," Campanella said.

Surprised ... Alyssa Campanella, right, reacts next to first runner-up Miss Tennessee Ashley Elizabeth Durham after being announced Miss USA 2011. Photo: Reuters

She strutted across the stage in a blue bikini with white polka dots, then donned a dark turquoise Sherri Hill evening gown with beading on its top. After making the final four, she answered a question about legalising marijuana by saying she didn't think it should be fully legalised as a solution to help ailing economies.
She also professed a love for history after E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic asked her about it during the pageant.
"I'm obsessed with the Stuart and Tudor era," Campanella said. "Whenever I go to Barnes & Noble I'm always in the history section and that is where you will find me."

Alyssa Campanella competes in the swimsuit portion of the pageant. Photo: Reuters

"I watch Game of Thrones, I watched Camelot - I know those are fantasy but I also watch the Tudors, so I'm a huge history geek," she said.
She said she grew up watching Star Wars.
Campanella said during a news conference after the pageant that the win validated her decision to quickly move to Los Angeles from New Jersey after losing an apartment more than a year ago.

Winner ... Alyssa Campanella. Photo: AP

"The downs happen for a reason," she said. "The path that I'm on now is the path that's been meant to be."
Campanella, a former Miss Teen USA runner-up from 2007, when she represented New Jersey, said she has been competing in pageants since she was 15 because of her mother.
"I was going through a tough time in high school and she thought it'd be a great way for me to meet other girls throughout the state," she said. "It's Mom's fault."

Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella competes in her evening gown. Photo: Reuters

Originally from Manalapan, New Jersey, Campanella began modeling at age 16, graduated from high school a year early and received a scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, according to her personal website.
Campanella said she thought the marijuana question posed to her from Real Housewives of New Jersey housewife Caroline Manzo was fair, given that she represents California.
"Well, I understand why that question would be asked, especially with today's economy, but I also understand that medical marijuana is very important to help those who need it medically," she said during the pageant.
"I'm not sure if it should be legalised, if it would really affect, with the drug war," she said. "I mean, it's abused today, unfortunately, so that's the only reason why I would kind of be a little bit against it, but medically it's OK."
Marijuana has been legal for medical use in California for about 15 years.
Miss Tennessee Ashley Durham was the first runner-up, while contestants from Alabama and Texas placed third and fourth.
Campanella, a natural blonde, said she dyed her hair six years ago for a part in a play, for a "fiery" character with whom she found she had traits in common.
"It's really brought out the true Alyssa Campanella, I feel, and that's why I really enjoy being a redhead," she said.
Campanella replaces Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih.