New Miss USA Lives in Sherman Oaks

The new Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, crowned in Las Vegas Sunday night, has lived in Sherman Oaks for the past 18 months. Competing as the reigning Miss California, Campanella, 21, was born and raised in New Jersey, but moved to California when she was 17.

During the televised pageant, held at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Campanella described herself as a "huge history geek'' with a special interest in the Tudor and Stuart periods and is also passionate about space exploration.

She graduated early from high school and moved out on her own to "conquer the world,'' Campanella told the judges, who included football legend Marcus Allen and Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller.

During the question-and-answer segment, Campanella, who is a model, said she opposes legalizing marijuana, but said it was "very important'' that it be available for medical uses.

She will go on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Brazil in September.

City News Service contributed to this report.