21-year-old Californian wins Miss USA crown

At 21, auburn hair, California won the model of the crown of Miss USA on Sunday night and will represent the country in this year's competition of Miss Universe.

Alyssa Campanella Los Angeles overcame a field of 51 beauty queens to take the title at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. She strutted on stage in a blue bikini with white dots and a dark turquoise Sherri Hill evening gown with beading on top.

She also answered a question on the legalization of marijuana, saying she does not think he should be fully legalized as a solution to help struggling economies.

Campanella told reporters at a news conference after the competition that the victory validated his decision to move quickly in Los Angeles, New Jersey after losing an apartment.

"The bottom happen for a reason," she said. "The way I am now on a path that was supposed to be."

Campanella, a former Miss Teen USA runner-up from 2007, when she represented New Jersey, said she has been competing in competitions since she was 15 because of his mother.

"I went through a difficult time in high school and she thought it would be a great way for me to meet other girls throughout the state," she said. "It's Mom's fault."

A native of Manalapan, NJ, 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, in its personal website.

Campanella, a history buff who says in his Twitter bio she was "born in the wrong time period," said she thought the question of marijuana's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" Manzo Carolina home was fair, as it represents California.

"Well, I understand why this issue would be raised, especially with today's economy, but I also understand that medical marijuana is very important to help those in medical need," she said during the pageant.

"I'm not sure if it should be legalized, if it would really affect them, the war against drugs," she said. "I want to say is abused today, unfortunately, so the only reason why I sort of be a little against it, but medically it is OK."

Marijuana is legal for medical use in California for about 15 years.