Miss USA 2013: Meet Miss Connecticut Erin Brady (PHOTO)

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Monday, June 17, 2013

Miss Connecticut Erin Brady was crowned Miss USA 2013 during Sunday night's competition, replacing last year's winner Nana Meriwether.

The 25-year-old beauty queen was chosen as winner over 50 other contestants during the pageant and will become a spokeswoman for breast and ovarian cancer awareness during her reign.

Furthermore, Brady will move into a New York City apartment and will travel the world doing work for various charities.

The South Glastonbury, Conn, resident won the crown after taking the stage in a white sparkling gown and fielding questions about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision uphold widespread DNA tests.

Moments before being named Miss USA, Brady held the hand of first-runner up Miss Alabama Mary Margaret McCord, who will take over Brady's duties should she be unable to do so.

Once crowned, Brady was seen mouthing "Oh my God" through tears.

The Central Connecticut State University finance major said that she hopes her background will change people's minds about beauty queens.

"I think that now more than ever, they're accepting that we're all intelligent individuals and that it's really not a stereotype anymore," said Brady, according to the Associated Press.

The new Miss USA will represent the USA at the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow on Nov. 9.

Last year, Olivia Culpo became the first Miss USA to ascend to Miss Universe in 16 years. Meriwether, who was first runner-up, took over the Miss USA duties for the rest of the year.

Runners-up during last night's competition included Miss Illinois Stacie Juris in second place, and Miss Utah Marissa Powell in third, while fourth and fifth runners-up were Miss Texas Ali Nugent and Miss South Carolina Megan Pinkney.

Despite Brady earning the Miss USA crown, Sunday night also named winners for Miss Congeniality- Miss Oregon Gabrielle Neilan and Miss Photogenic- Miss Utah Marissa Powell.

Sunday's Miss USA competition was held at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas strip and was hosted by Giuliana Rancic and Joe Jonas.