Californian Wins Miss USA 2011 Crown (Photos)

Las Vegas, Jun 20 : A 21-year-old auburn-haired California girl won the Miss USA crown on Sunday night and will represent the nation in this year's Miss Universe pageant in September in Brazil.

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

She also answered a question about legalizing marijuana by saying she didn't think it should be fully legalized as a solution to help ailing economies.

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

Miss Tennessee Ashley Durham was the first runner-up, while contestants from Alabama and Texas placed third and fourth.

Campanella, a self-described history buff and natural blonde, said she dyed her hair six years ago for a part in a play, for a 'fiery' character with whom she found she had traits in common.

"It's really brought out the true Alyssa Campanella, I feel, and that's why I really enjoy being a redhead," she said.

Campanella replaces Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih. The Michigan woman teared up as she walked across the stage for a final goodbye.

The pageant had three competitions: swimsuit, evening gown and interview question.

The contestants were whittled to 16 after the show's opening number, in which the beauty queens introduced themselves one-by-one. The top 16 were picked by preliminary judges through competitions and interviews during the week before the telecast. Celebrity judges picked the top eight after the swimsuit competition and the top 4 after the evening gown portion.

Durham appeared to stumble as she answered a question from celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito about whether the First Amendment should protect burning religious books, as it protects burning the flag.

"I know that some people view it as a freedom of speech, however, burning the American flag is not patriotic at all," Durham said. "No American citizen should do that, and you should also respect other religions. I'm a Christian and a faithful person. I would personally not appreciate someone burning the Bible, and that's just a line you do not cross."

Miss Kentucky Kia Ben-et Hampton won Miss Congeniality USA, while Miss Arizona Brittany Dawn Brannon won Miss Photogenic USA.

Alyssa Campanella of Los Angeles crowned Miss USA 2011

Auburn haired beauty: Twenty-one-year-old auburn-haired California girl won the Miss USA crown on June 19 and will represent the nation in this year's Miss Universe pageant in September in Brazil.

Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, competes in the swim suit competition during the 2011 Miss USA pageant, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. Campanella was crowned Miss USA 2011. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Madeline Mitchell, left, Miss Alabama, walks away as Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, right, and Miss Tennessee, Ashley Elizabeth Durham react as they are announced as the two remaining finalists in the 2011 Miss USA pageant Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, reacts as she is announced as the 2011 Miss USA as Miss Tennessee, Ashley Elizabeth Durham looks on, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, reacts after being crowned the 2011 Miss USA, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, reacts after being crowned the 2011 Miss USA, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, is crowned as the 2011 Miss USA by Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Alyssa Campanella, Miss California,, right, has her make-up touched up as Ashley Elizabeth Durham, Miss Tennessee, waits her turn during a break at the 2011 Miss USA pageant, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Lissette Garcia, Miss Florida, competes in the swim suit competition during the 2011 Miss USA pageant, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

The quarterfinalists stand at the end of the swim suit competition during the 2011 Miss USA pageant, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Spectators supporting Miss Missouri cheer during the 2011 Miss USA pageant, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

From left, Miss Alabama, Miss Hawaii, Miss California and Miss Maryland react after being named as four of the semifinalists during the 2011 Miss USA pageant, Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)