newjerseynewsroom.com

N.J. native feels she was born in wrong time period

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

New Jersey native Alyssa Campanella claims she was born in the wrong time period and was playing the popular pig-exploding game Angry Bird backstage on her iPad before she became the new Miss USA Sunday night.

According to an Associated Press report in the Asbury Park Press, Campanella said she grew up watching “Star Wars.” She said she always winds up in the history section when she goes to bookstores.

“I watch ‘Game of Thrones,’ I watched ‘Camelot’ — I also watch the Tudors, so I’m a huge history geek,” she said. “I’m obsessed with the Stuart and Tudor era.”

Currently a California model, Alyssa Campanella moved to Los Angeles from New Jersey more than a year ago. Originally from Manalapan, N.J., Campanella began modeling at 16, and graduated from high school a year early, receiving a scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

Campanella’s own web site says she made the honor roll every semester when she attended Freehold Township High School, and held a 4.0 GPA. In October 2006, she won Miss New Jersey Teen USA and represented New Jersey at Miss Teen USA 2007.

According to ABC News, Campanella answered a question about the legalization of marijuana from “Real Housewives of New Jersey” housewife Caroline Manzo. She responded, “I'm not sure if it should be legalized, with the drug war. I mean, it's abused today, unfortunately, so that's the only reason why I would kind of be a little bit against it, but medically it's OK."

Campanella will next represent the USA at the Miss Universe pageant on Sept. 12 from Sao Paolo, Brazil.