PHOTOS: Miss USA Crowned Miss Universe 2012

Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012 Winner

A 20-year-old beauty queen who plays the cello and is a breast cancer advocate has been crowned Miss Universe, the eighth time an American has won the beauty pageant.

Olivia Culpo, 20, from Rhode Island, was chosen by a 10-judge panel from 89 contestants representing countries ranging from India to Kosovo.

Culpo, wearing a red, long-sleeved dress for her final look, was the eighth winner from the United States in the contest's 60-year history, and the first Miss USA to take the title since 1997.

Miss Philippines, 23-year-old Janine Tugonon, was the runner-up and Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, came third after the top five answered brief questions posed by the judges.

Miss USA, Olivia Culpo Crowned Miss Universe 2012 By Leila Lopes

Culpo takes the place of last year's winner Leila Lopes, who was the first-ever Miss Universe from Angola.

Miss Guatemala, Laura Godoy, was chosen Miss Congeniality after the two-hour pageant that featured live performances by US pop group Train and Nigerian-born Australian singer and dancer Timomatic.

Culpo will travel the world for the next year representing the Miss Universe Organisation and a charity of her choice.

After reaching the top five, Culpo was asked to name one thing she would never do again. "Picking on my siblings growing up", she replied.