Photo Gallery: Miss Hawaii USA

Brianna Acosta has learned from experience that life as a beauty queen isn’t all tiaras and rose bouquets. She’s had to develop a thick skin to take some of the abuse that comes with being judged by your looks.

When she was crowned Miss Hawaii USA in October, some people posted mean-spirited comments about her on the Internet.

"Everyone picks you apart when you do pageants," Acosta said. "The comments said I was fat … that I’d better hit the gym every day if I expect to win. I’m 5-feet-10 and my pageant weight was 125."

Never mind that the statuesque Acosta had been a star athlete at Waialua High School and has been working out three times a week with personal trainer Matt Jones of Body Design by Matt and watching her diet. She said she has embraced her natural beauty — which is far more than skin deep.

"It was most difficult to not compare myself to others. (Jones) made me realize that everyone has a different body and bone structure. I learned to embrace my curves," she said. "I’ve learned to take everything with a grain of salt."

The 21-year-old, born and raised in Waialua, is leaving for Las Vegas on Wednesday to participate in charity events, photo shoots and production rehearsals for the Miss USA pageant, which will be televised June 16 on CBS. The winner will compete for the Miss Universe crown.

"I’m really excited. I’ve watched the pageants since I was a little girl," she said.

Acosta began participating in the Miss Hawaii Teen contests at the age of 14, but despite her interest in pageants, she made a decision early on not to rely on outward appearances. She graduated as valedictorian of Waialua High in 2009 and was senior class president, female scholar-athlete of the year, National Honor Society president, and captain and most valuable player of the varsity soccer team.

Just this month Acosta graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in journalism and was on the dean’s list and named a Chancellor’s Scholar, collecting a variety of scholarships along the way.

She has done charitable work for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, American Red Cross, American Heart Association and Read Aloud America. As a self-described nerd, Acosta is a mentor and volunteer in the FIRST Robotics program for high-schoolers.

"I’ve worked hard for everything that I achieved, especially in the area of fitness. I’m not naturally skinny," she said. "And I’m definitely a nerd … just a small-town girl from Waialua."