Olivia Culpo, 20 from Rhode Island will represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant later this year.

Culpo was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, the third largest city in Rhode Island and once named one of the "100 Best Places to Live."

Culpo is a cellist. Her parents are professional musicians and she began studying the cello in second grade.

She has participated in Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, RI Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble, Bay View Orchestra and Rhode Island All-State Orchestra and her love for music has landed her seats at Carnegie Hall in New York City and at the Symphony Hall in Boston.

Culpo describes herself as a nerd and has said she would like to be someone like the "female version" of Albert Einstein. She reportedly loves to speak Italian.

Culpo is a Boston University sophomore. She graduated from St. mary Academy Bay View, an all-girls Catholic high school.

Culpo was given one of the hardest questions at the Miss USA pageant Sunday.

Judge Rob Kardashian took a question from Twitter and asked her:

"Would you feel it would be fair that a transgender woman wins the Miss USA title over a natural-born woman?"

Culpo's reply was:

"I do think that that would be fair, but I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road because there is a tradition of natural-born women, but today where there are so many surgeries and so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life, I do accept that because I believe it's a free country."

The pageant featured three categories: swimsuit, evening gowns and interview question.

Culpo will take a year off from her studies to prepare for Miss Universe 2012. If she cannot fulfill her duties runner up Miss Maryland Nana Meriwether will take her place.

Watch Olivia Culpo Playing the Cello:

Tags: Miss Universe