Miss USA 2011 winner: Alyssa Campanella of California takes the crown in annual beauty pageant

Even a self-proclaimed "geek" can win a beauty pageant.

Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, took home the biggest crown America offers on Sunday, when she won the 60th Miss USA competition in Las Vegas.

The 21-year-old New Jersey native beat out 50 other hopefuls from the States, plus Washington D.C.

The red-haired Campanella – who was once a blond – wowed the judges with not only her beauty, but her intellect.



Campanella professed to being a history buff, and even wrote in her Twitter bio that she was "born in the wrong time period."

"I'm obsessed with the Stuart and Tudor era," she said during the show. "Whenever I go to Barnes & Noble I'm always in the history section and that is where you will find me."

Campanella added that historical fiction programs, like "Game of Thrones" and "Camelot," are among her favorites.

"I know those are fantasy," she said, "but I also watch 'The Tudors,' so I'm a huge history geek."

When Campanella made it to the final four, she had to answer a question regarding the legalization of marijuana.

"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 replied.

"I'm not sure if it should be legalized, if it would really affect, with the drug war," she added. "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."



Campanella replaces 2010 winner Rima Fakih and will represent America in the Miss Universe pageant in Brazil on Sept. 12.

Campanella joined her fellow contestants at an after-party following the broadcast, but later found herself unable to rest.

"In bed watching Miss Congeniality on TBS..." she tweeted. "Like you really thought I'd be getting sleep tonight."



BY Shari Weiss
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER