The 2011 Miss USA Pageant came down to a battle between two best friends, but 21-year-old Miss California Alyssa Campanella beat her blonde gal pal Ashley Durham from Tennessee to become the new Miss USA. Are the two beauty queens still BFFs?Richard Harbaugh/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP - Monday, June, 20, 2011, 5:20 PM

As the 2011 Miss USA Pageant winner, Alyssa Campanella will represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in Brazil scheduled for September 12.AP Photo/Julie Jacobson - Monday, June, 20, 2011, 4:20 AM

Alyssa Campanella is actually a natural blonde. Six years ago while auditioning for a play, she dyed her hair reddish brown to fit the "fiery" character she was trying out for. "It's really brought out the true Alyssa Campanella, I feel, and that's why I really enjoy being a redhead," explains the now auburn-haired Campanella.Richard Harbaugh/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP - Monday, June, 20, 2011, 4:20 AM

Alyssa Campanella, who's originally from Manalapan, New Jersey, is a former Miss Teen USA runner-up from 2007. She moved to Los Angeles, California after losing her Garden State apartment. "The downs happen for a reason," she said. "The path that I'm on now is the path that's been meant to be."Richard Harbaugh/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP - Monday, June, 20, 2011, 4:20 AM

When she was 15, Alyssa Campanella's mother urged her to compete in pageants. "I was going through a tough time in high school and she thought it'd be a great way for me to meet other girls throughout the state," she said. "It's mom's fault."Richard Harbaugh/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP - Monday, June, 20, 2011, 4:20 AM

Alyssa Campanella admits she's a "huge history geek" and says in her Twitter bio that she was "born in the wrong time period." "I'm obsessed with the Stuart and Tudor era. .... Whenever I go to Barnes & Noble, I'm always in the history section and that is where you will find me," the newly crowned Miss USA explains. Campanella is also a fan of period dramas like "The Tudors," "Game of Thrones," and "Camelot."Richard Harbaugh/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP - Monday, June, 20, 2011, 4:20 AM

Miss Texas Ana Christina Rodriguez, Miss Alabama Madeline Mitchell, Miss Tennessee Ashley Durham, and Miss California Alyssa Campanella are the final four contestants in the 2011 Miss USA Pageant held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 19, 2011.Richard Harbaugh/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP - Monday, June, 20, 2011, 4:20 AM

Miss Alabama USA 2011, Madeline Mitchell, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Alaska USA 2011, Jessica Chuckran, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Arizona USA 2011, Brittany Dawn Brannon, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Arkansas USA 2011, Lakynn McBride, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss California USA 2011, Alyssa Campanella, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Colorado USA 2011, Blair Adair Griffith, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Connecticut USA 2011, Regina Turner, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss District of Columbia USA 2011, Heather Danelle Swann, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Delaware USA 2011, Katie Hanson, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Florida USA 2011, Lissette Garcia, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Georgia USA 2011, Kaylin Reque, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Hawaii USA 2011, Angela Byrd, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Idaho USA 2011, Erza Haliti, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Illinois USA 2011, Angela Sparrow, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Indiana USA 2011, Jillian Wunderlich, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Iowa USA 2011, Rebecca Goldsmith, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM

Miss Kansas USA 2011, Jaymie Stokes, competes for the title of Miss USA 2011.2011 Miss Universe Organization/Matt Petit - Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 6:16 PM