The newly-crowned 2013 Miss USA is 25-year-old Erin Brady of East Hampton, Connecticut.
A financial accountant who earned her degree at Central Connecticut State University, with a minor in criminal justice, Brady will raise awareness for breast and ovarian cancers, the organization’s official cause.
The beauty queen will also advocate for children of addicts, citing a family struggle with alcoholism as her motivation.
Prior to being crowned, Miss Connecticut tweeted, “So far I have met @realDonaldTrum, spoke to @GiulianaRancic, and about to dance with @JonasBrothers. What a day. #missusa”
She’ll go on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 9. Both pageant organizations are jointly owned by NBC Universal and Donald Trump, in addition to the Miss Teen USA pageant.
Last year Olivia Culpo, Miss Rhode Island, was crowned the 2012 Miss USA. She went on to win Miss Universe, a situation that elevated first runner up Nana Meriwether, Miss Maryland, to become Miss USA.
That said, this year’s first runner up, Miss Alabama Mary Margaret McCord, could be tapped to take on the title in the event that Erin Brady is unable to complete her yearlong reign.
We’ve included photos of Erin Brady rocking the evening gown and swimsuit competition:
Photos: WENN