Winning the title of Miss Universe is a huge accomplishment, and Rhode Island native Olivia Culpo, 21, loves her role. But it isn’t always easy or glamorous!

Miss Universe: ‘I’m Still Just Olivia!’

In June 2012, Olivia won Miss USA. Then, in December, she was crowned Miss Universe, becoming the first Miss Universe from the US in 15 years!

However, although she has one of the most glamorous titles in the world, she’s still single!

She explained that when guys see her, “they don’t see Miss Universe at first, and then there’s always that awkward moment when they find out, and you have to think, ‘this is a little uncomfortable,’” Olivia exclusively told HollywoodLife.com. ”I don’t know if they like me or they just think it’s cool so they can tell their friends that they’re talking to Miss Universe. But to me I’m still just Olivia, and I’m going to continue thinking that, instead of the title!”

It’s so great that Olivia can stay down to earth after two huge and prestigious wins. With all of her traveling, it must be hard to get into a serious relationship, and in fact it is — she is focused on her title responsibilities.

However, at the start of her reign she traveled to Indonesia, where she experienced the most outrageous moment, yet!

“The most surprising thing [since winning the Miss Universe pageant] happened when I went on my first trip to Indonesia — I forgot my crown at home,” she EXCLUSIVELY told HollywoodLife.com. ”That was the most shocking moment of my life. Really? I had just won Miss Universe, my first international trip, and I left my crown.”

Olivia Culpo: I Want A Big Family

When she does find a man to share her life with, there is a requirement he must meet.

“I want to have a very big family! I came from a very big family, [I'm] the middle of five [kids], and I want to continue and carry on that tradition. But I also am going to have to work. I’m gonna just probably be a little bit crazy, but that’s ok!”

To hear more from Olivia about her life as Miss Universe, watch the video below and tell us what you think!

WATCH: Miss Universe Olivia Culpo Talks Dating

– Bonnie Fuller

More Miss USA News:

1. Miss USA Nana Meriwether: Boston Heroes Show ‘American Spirit’
2. Rob Kardashian & Joe Jonas Judging Miss USA Pageant

On Dec. 19, Olivia Culpo brought home the crown at the Miss Universe pageant, winning the title for USA for the first time in over a decade. But, alas, her success is being overshadowed by another contestant: Irene Sofia Esser Quintero - also known as Miss Venezuela – who’s bizarre ramblings have made her an internet sensation!

Miss Venezuela’s Pageant Interview: Her Strange Answer

Now, my pageant knowledge stems mostly from films such as Miss Congeniality and Drop Dead Gorgeous, but it’s safe to assume there is lots of backstage bitching, backstabbing and various attempts of sabotage. But Irene took sabotage to a whole new level. Instead of doing something cliche like trying to trip up her opponents, or poison them, or tamper with her gown or any type of typical high jinx one would see in a movie, Miss Venezuela got creative.

What did she do? She out-shined her competitors by bizarrely rambling like Charlie Sheen during his “winning” phase — except with a big smile and less craziness. Irene was asked, “If you could change one law, what would it be and why?” by the handsome Pretty Little Liars actor, Diego Boneta, and her answer was nonsensical!

Irene, who’s first language is Spanish, replied with, “I think that any leys (laws) there are in Constitution or in life, are already made. I think that we should have, uh, a straight way to go in our similar, or, eh, in our lives as is this. For example, I’m a surfer, and I think that the best wave that I can take is the wave that I wait for it. So please do our only, eh, law that we can do. Thank you, Vegas!”

Well, at least she is polite!

Users took to Twitter to slam and tease Irene, but they are fools I say — fools! They think she is confused and sweet, but it’s obvious what’s going on here: she is trying to steal Olivia’s thunder. Irene knew she had lost the crown, so what better way to grab the limelight then look sweet and innocent while answering a boring question. Olivia must be positively raging right now.

Irene eventually came in third place, but I think she was robbed, especially after her beautiful metaphor about catching a wave.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Do you think Irene should have won for being so comical?

WATCH: Olivia Culpo Wins Miss Universe 2012 – ENTV

– Eleanore Hutch

More Miss Universe News:

1. Miss Universe Revealed: Olivia Culpo Brings Crown Home For USA
2. Miss Universe Winner Olivia Culpo Says On-Stage Fall Was ‘Terrifying’
3. Miss Universe Olivia Culpo — Pics

Boston University student Olivia Culpo was crowned the new Miss Universe on Dec. 19, even though she almost fell down on stage! “It’s terrifying, but I knew that was going to happen,” she admitted Dec. 20 on the Today show. ”That dress on that floor in those shoes — it was inevitable. I’m just happy I didn’t fall on my face!”

We’re happy she didn’t fall down, too — even though watching people fall down on runways is one of HollywoodLife.com‘s most cherished pastimes.

Olivia, 20, beat 88 other pageant contestants to become the first Miss America to win Miss Universe since Brook Lee snagged the title in 1997. She believes a victory for the U.S. will help raise the country’s morale following the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

“It does feel really good,” Olivia said in her next-day interview. “And I think in the midst of everything that’s been going on in the country, it’s a good thing that will hopefully uplift the spirit in such a tragic time. It’s an honor.”

Olivia Culpo’s Pageant History:

Watching Olivia win Miss Universe on national television, you’d think she’d been competing in pageants all her life — but you’d be wrong. Her first time competing on stage was at the Miss Rhode Island pageant in 2011!

“We didn’t know a thing about pageants,” Olivia’s father Peter Culpo said when his daughter first began competing. In fact, her whole family “looked at her like she had three heads!” (Three glamorous heads, I’m sure.)

Proving she was born to compete, Olivia won the title of Miss Rhode Island wearing a $20 rented dress — with a hole in it! Following that first victory, Olivia set her sights on the Miss USA title by dieting, exercising

Even without a wink of beauty sleep — not that she needs any — Olivia said she’s feeling great.

“It’s been a crazy night, but I’m so excited,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier.”

WATCH: Olivia Culpo Wins Miss Universe!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

Today

More Miss Universe on HollywoodLife.com:

1. Miss Universe Olivia Culpo — Pics
2. Miss Universe Revealed: Olivia Culpo Brings Crown Home For USA

Olivia Culpo, 20, beat out 88 other beauty queens from six continents at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas strip on Dec. 19, taking the title from Leila Lopes of Angola.

Olivia Culpo’s Many Dresses Revealed

Olivia wore a tight navy mini-dress with a sequined bodice as she walked onstage for the opening number. Later in the night, the Boston University sophomore walked in a purple and blue bikini, and donned a red velvet gown with a plunging neckline during her winning moment!

An American has not won the Miss Universe title since Brook Lee won in 1997, so Olivia’s win is a big deal for the competition, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC.

Olivia’s Family Was Stunned

Ironically, Olivia’s family “looked at her like she had three heads” when she told them she was entering the Miss Rhode Island contest last year, her father Peter says.

“We didn’t know a thing about pageants,” he said.

Olivia won that contest in a rented $20 dress with a hole in it, and began working out, dieting and studying current events on flashcards in preparation for the Miss USA pageant that soon followed. She, of course, won that competition as well.

Olivia Hopes To Bring Good News After Sandy Hook Shooting

After being crowned Miss Universe, Olivia shared her interest in bringing the country good news in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that occurred on December 14.

“It’s such an honor to be representing the USA in an international beauty contest in spite of all the tragedy that’s happened in this country lately,” she said. “I really hope that this this will raise everybody’s spirits a little.”

Olivia was chosen by a panel of 10 judges including The Voice judge Cee Lo Green, Iron Chef star Masaharu Morimoto and San Francisco Giants player Pablo Sandoval.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Did Olivia deserve the Universe crown?

WATCH: Olivia Culpo, Miss USA, Wins Miss Universe Pageant!

— Chris Rogers

Follow
@ChrisRogers86

We got to chat with Miss Universe Leila Lopes and Miss USA Alyssa Campanella at the Chinese Laundry preview, where the gorgeous gals exclusively told HollywoodLife.com that they are both looking for a guy with a sense of humor!

Miss Universe says she looks for some one who makes her laugh, a guy with good manners and he ”must be taller than me!”

As for Miss USA, she said it’s most important that a guy has a sense of humor with personality and is family-oriented! She also shares her ultimate deal-breaker: “a big ego!” If he’s cocky and spits out cheesy one-liners then they can forget about it — and we don’t blame her!

–Giovanna Pagliarulo

Leila Lopes, 25, is the first African contestant to be crowned Miss Universe in over 13 years. Not only does she have a hot bikini bod — which, let’s face it, they all do — but her answer to a difficult final question sealed the deal. Keep reading to find out what it was!

When asked “What physical trait would you change and why?” According to the Associated Press, she gracefully responded,”Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing”

“I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life,” She said. What a great answer!

In order to qualify, all the contestants must never have been married and never had kids, plus be between the ages of 18 and 27.

The runner-up to Miss Universe 2011 was Ukrainian beauty Olesia Stefanko, 23. What do you think, did the best woman win?

–Brooke Peoples

Getty Images (2)

Miss Mexico won the coveted Miss Universe crown! Which ‘do does the crown more justice?

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe after donning a national costume, swimsuit, ball gown and answering questions about Arizona’s controversial immigration law on Aug. 23 in Las Vegas. The brunette beauty looked totally stunning as she accepted the crown on stage. For her coronation, Miss Mexico wore her shiny locks down with pretty, loose waves. Later on in the evening while doing press after her win, Jimena swept her hair up into a low, messy bun. Which look do you think looks better with her bejeweled crown?

- Marta Topran

Check out more from our BFFs at Glamour.com!

1. 31 Hip Fall Handbags For Under $150
2. Fall Fashion Trends: 12 Ways to Update Last Year’s Trends
3. 39 of the Sparkliest Engagement Rings Ever
4. How Celebs Really Get Those Bodies

Miss USA Rima Fakih has already picked out her sexy costume for the Aug. 23 Miss Universe competition, and she says it is in honor of President Obama. Rima said of her revealing gold bustier/eagle costume, “The symbolism of this costume is a tribute to [Obama's] work to bring peace to the world …the amazing costume I will wear during the Miss Universe pageant represents the celebration of life, liberty and all that is American.”

Rima, a practicing Muslim, has recently been in the press for the comments she made about the controversial Ground Zero mosque, acknowledging the need for freedom of religion but also pointing out the mosque should not be so near the site of the national tragedy.

Should 24-year-old Rima win the pageant on Aug. 23, she would be the first Muslim to do so.

Click here to view the embedded video.