Rachel Smith Crowned Miss USA

Monday, March 26, 2007

A new Miss USA has been crowned; thus ending the controversial reign of Miss USA, Tara Conner. Rachel Smith (age 21) of Tennessee has won the pageant and was crowned over the weekend.

Miss Tennessee Rachel Smith is a journalism student who graduated from Belmont University. Last year she completed her internship working for the production company behind The Oprah Winfrey Show.

To win her crown Miss. Smith had to beat the competition of finalists which included Meagan Yvonne Tandy of California; Cara Renee Gorges of Kansas; Helen Salas of Nevada; and Danielle Lacourse of Rhode Island.

Miss Smith accepted her crown wearing a red satin dress.

This year’s pageant was as much about the outgoing Miss USA as it was about the incoming title holder. The pageant opened with footage of the controversial reign of Miss USA Tara Conner.  Her reign was marked by turmoil and she almost lost her crown due to alcohol and drug abuse.  After the end of the footage, Miss Conner walked out on stage to officially open this year’s pageant.

Miss Conner came close to loosing her crown because of her behavior. However, Donald Trump (who owns the Miss USA pageant) refused to end her reign; and instead sent her to rehab. Trump went on record as saying that he felt Miss Conner would be a good heroic figure for others struggling with addiction problems.

Trump’s decision sparked a feud between him and The View co-anchor Rosie O’Donnell.  The two exchanged words for weeks.

Miss Conner successfully completed rehab and returned to her duties as Miss USA.  Miss Conner has said that, now that her reign is over, she plans to write a book and do some acting.

Miss Conner had some advice to give to Miss Smith, “Be yourself and put your own flavor on the title. Don’t feel like you have to be the ‘Pageant Patty.’”