slides: NEW: RI’s Miss Universe Olivia Culpo—Behind The Scenes

Winning Smile

You can see the personality and beauty in Rhode Island's brand-new Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo, from the very beginning.

Photo: The Culpo Family

The Culpos

Is there any prouder family in Rhode Island on December 19th? The Culpo family (Olivia in the bright red dress) on vacation.

Photo: The Culpo Family

Bay View Girl

Culpo is a 2010 graduate of St. Mary Academy Bay View in Riverside. Her yearbook photo shows the fresh-faced beauty before ascending to pageant royalty.

Photo: St. Mary Academy Bay View

The Graduate

Olivia is not the only Bay View alum to have reached the upper echelon of the Miss USA pageant. Danielle Lacourse, who was 1st runner-up for Miss USA in 2007, is also a BVA graduate and helped coach Olivia for her successful run at the title.

Photo: St. Mary Academy Bay View

Loyal Alum

Rhode Island's Bay View Academy grads stick together, and Culpo is no exception. After being crowned Miss USA, she returns to see her fellow BVA girls.

Photo: St. Mary's Academy Bay View.

Happy Texter

Olivia reacts to a text from the casting director of Mark Wahlberg's film, TED, while shopping on Boston's Newbury Street with fashion blogger Gilda Miranda, who snapped the shot for her blog, Take It From Me.

Photo: Gilda Miranda

Happy Shopper

Fashion blogger Gilda Miranda dubbed Olivia Boston's "IT" girl in August 2011, and she couldn't have been more on the money. Miranda found Olivia to be as modest as she is beautiful, and featured her on her blog Take It From Me.

Photo: Gilda Miranda

Appearing for RI

Since being crowned Miss RI USA in September 2011, Olivia has not only prepared for Miss USA, but made myriad appearances in the state on behalf of sponsors and non-profits. She appears here with Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2011 Livia Stencel, who hails from nearby Warwick, at a Gifts of Hope event.

Classical Musician

Now known as "the cellist who won the Miss USA pageant," Olivia has played the instrument most of her life, and is the child of two musicians. She currently plays with Boston University's chamber orchestra, Boston Accompanietta, as she is shown here (far right).

Photo: Miss RI USA

The Young Artist

Olivia was a cello student associated with The Music School of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and her embrace of her instrument make a glamorous image for her Miss Universe portfolio. How many RI girls will be taking up the cello now?

Photo: Miss Universe Organization

Home to Model

While Olivia has enjoyed a print modeling career for several years in Boston, she returned to RI to pose for hot designer Andrea Valentini, who styles Olivia here for a recent shoot.

Photo: Andrea Valentini

Fashion Plate

The final result of Olivia's work for designer Andrea Valentini, echoing classic models and editorial fashion of the 1970s.

Photo: Andrea Valentini

On the Runway

Olivia (left) walking the runway for designer Andrea Valentini (center) at StyleWeek Providence.

Photo: Daniel Gagnon Photography