21-year-old Alyssa Campanella of California wins Miss USA title [PHOTOS]

21-year-old Alyssa Campanella representing California has won the Miss USA crown at the annual beauty pageant in Las Vegas on Sunday. Red-haired Alyssa will represent the nation in this year's Miss Universe pageant to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 12.

A full-time model, Alyssa was born and brought up in New Jersey. She represented New Jersey at the Miss Teen USA contest in 2007, Reuters reported.

Alyssa was among the favorites by pageant experts. She was crowned by current Miss USA, Rima Fakih. Rima, a Lebanese-born Muslim, was the first Arab-American to win the title.

Stunning Alyssa won the crown after she walked across the stage in a blue bikini with white polka dots. Asked by judge about legalizing marijuana, she answered saying that she didn't think it should be fully legalized, however, for medical purposes it should be available to those who need it.

Miss Tennessee Ashley Durham came in second, while Miss Alabama and Miss Texas came in third and fourth respectively.