Dreaming of a tiara of your very own? Then take some tips from Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo. “I would say the most important part of doing well in a pageant is confidence. While people may think having the perfect physique or evening dress is an important aspect of a pageant, it is not as crucial as just believing in yourself and being open to the audience. Heck, I rented my dress for $20 on renttherunway.com!” And even if you don’t take home the crown, Olivia says you can walk away with big rewards. “Pageants are an awesome opportunity to learn more about yourself and achieve the confidence that is ideal to succeeding in anything. Despite popular belief, the pageant world explores beauty that is much more than skin-deep. Your time on stage is your opportunity to showcase the real you: the background, talents, and values that make up your own unique and beautiful presence. You don’t do well in pageants by trying to be or act like another person. You win by being YOU.”

It’s no wonder Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo has such stage presence — she’s been performing for crowds since she was just a tyke. “As a child I preformed with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and then during my high school years my family made the commute from Providence to Boston once again,” Olivia says. “I not only got to sit next to such talented young musicians, but during my final year of BYSO, the orchestra toured England. Another great music institute is the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. I played with RIPYO from my very first years playing the cello, and attending weekly orchestra and chamber music rehearsal really became a big part of my upbringing. I will never forget playing in Carnegie Hall with this orchestra when I was just a little peanut — I think only 12 years old!” Playing Carnegie Hall is huge milestone, sure, but Olivia will soon perform for an even bigger audience. Watch her compete for Miss USA on June 3rd on NBC!

“My most memorable summers were spent in North Carolina at the Brevard Music Center,” says Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo. “This summer-long intensive music festival deepened my appreciation for music and gave me the privilege to catch a glimpse of the many talented artists of the music world today. I will always remember my experience of watching the master classes and performances of world-famous musicians like Yo-Yo Ma, Roberto Diaz, and Andrés Díaz. I will also never forget performing under conductors like Boston Pops’ Keith Lockhart and Larry Rachleff. Playing Mahler 5 — that is something I will never forget!” 

Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo wowed in the talent round with her trusty cello. So where does she shop for sheet music? “There is a small great music shop called Music Espresso on Huntington Avenue in Boston. It is a great way to get your hands on music rather than having to search online. It is a bit more personal.”

“For someone interested in modeling, I would suggest getting professional pictures taken and submitting them to an agency of interest in a nearby city,” advises Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo, who’s a model and actress as well as a musician and pageant queen. She had some words for aspiring thespians, too. “If you’re a student, take advantage of any acting programs your school may offer. If you’re not a student, there are always acting classes offered in Boston at places such as Boston Casting. This will help increase your abilities and give you an opportunity to get those creative juices flowing!”