Miss Universe Winner Olivia Culpo Says On-Stage Fall Was 'Terrifying'

Though Olivia admits her fall was 'inevitable,' she was worried it might cost her the Miss Universe crown!

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.'

' Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

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More Miss Universe on HollywoodLife.com:

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