Miss USA Will Go Into Rehab

(CBS/AP)  Miss USA, Tara Conner, has agreed to go into rehab and will be allowed to keep her title, Donald Trump announced Tuesday.

"I've always been a believer in second chances … Tara is going to be given a second chance," Trump said.

Trump, who co-owns the Miss Universe Organization, said that he had planned to terminate Conner's reign before he met with her at 10 a. m. Tuesday morning.

But he said he changed his mind after talking with her. "I saw somebody that had a good heart that really, really tried … She left a small town in Kentucky and she was telling me she got caught up in the whirlwind of New York," Trump said.

"She's agreed to go into rehab," he said. He said later that the Miss USA organization will be doing periodic drug testing.

"If she weren't a good person, I wouldn't have done this, believe me," Trump said.

Crowned last April, Conner, a Kentucky native, will finish her reign. Her conduct was under review by the Miss Universe Organization due to reported "behavioral issues."

Conner was allegedly evaluated because of a few too many late nights out on the town in New York City where Conner is said to have engaged in underage drinking. Local newspapers have reported that Conner tested positive for cocaine.

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Photos: Tara Conner

Photos: Miss Universe 2006

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Behavior such as underage drinking is clearly prohibited, a spokeswoman for the Miss Universe Organization said recently.

"This has been a very difficult time for the Miss USA pageant," Trump said. "In the case of Tara she made some very, very bad choices … Some of those mistakes were bad mistakes."

In a tear-choked voice, Conner said, "In no way did I think it would be possible for a second chance to be given to me."

2"You will never know how much I appreciate Mr. Trump for saving me on this one," said Conner. "I'm so happy I've been given this opportunity … I plan on walking out of this the best Miss USA you've ever seen."

Conner apologized to her family and said, "Thank God I had the chance to make it right."

Trump said Conner will be moving back into her apartment at Trump Place on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

"I think Tara is going to be the great comeback kid," Trump said.

There was speculation that first runner up Miss California, Tamiko Nash, would take over as Miss USA if Conner was dethroned.

In a statement last week, the organization's president, Paula M. Shugart, said officials would evaluate Conner's "behavioral and personal issues to see what we can do to work with her and what we will do about her reign going forward."

After winning the Miss USA title in April, Conner finished fourth in the Miss Universe pageant in July. Conner has been competing in pageants since age 4.

[kailumego1]

Personally, I haven%u2019t watched the pageant, because of the "double-standard". But, however, Anigm, I read the "Bio" on Tamiko Nash, which is very impressive, very impressive indeed, I personally don't see why she didn't win in the first place.

In comparison to Tara Conner, she is a much prettier girl, and apparently from reading her "Bio" has far greater potential. It%u2019s puzzling what goes through the minds of these judges this young lady should have been an obvious %u201Cshoo-win%u201D.

[agnim]

"I BELIEVE THE FIRST RUNNER-UP, WHO WOULD SUCCEED TARA SHOULD SHE STEP DOWN - JUST HAPPENS TO BE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE. WHAT A COINCIDENCE......

Posted by lorinski at 05:23 PM : Dec 21, 2006"

Tamiko Nash is a beauty queen from Los Angeles, California who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.

Nash won the Miss California USA pageant in 2005, becoming only the third African-American to hold the title. She went on to place first runner-up in the Miss USA 2006 pageant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Tamiko_Nash

[gmiles6-2009]

Leave Tara Conner alone.
Ever since her sister Sara was attacked by that robot from the future, none of the Conners have been right.
Let Trump take care of her, as he will. She can become his next apprentice.
Together they can find Sister Sara and defeat that awful Arnold robot now terrorizing Kalifornia.

[lambofgoth]

Spare us, blondie.
Tara is just part of the Kentucky Dumb Blond with Fake Boobs club. It's entire region full of these idiots out to find a husband and make a little Christian army.
Tara should lose her crown and go back to Russell County where she will be the toast of the town. When Kentucky starts educating there women and stops encouraging them to be naive little tarts, then they might have something to offer.

[tiacovazzi]

i think they should take her crown - it is unfair that Vanessa Williams crown was taken for some nude photos and this girl can go out and drink underage and retain her crown. Thank God my daughter isn't interested in this kind of thing. I would hate for this girl to be someone of influence to her.

[dfhays5]

Vanessa Williams did not get a second chance! Why is this any differnt. Is this a double standard?
Yes I have made mistskes but I am not a repersentative os America.

[bluestardad]

Women Register for the Draft then speak of Equal Rights! Quit enjoying the sacrifice of others without paying the bill yourselves.

[bluestardad]

Yea Rehab, Crying, Got Caught partying, now no one is falling for that show biz bologna. You had to do the behind the door on your knees begging the Donald! He gives forgiveness at the same time you are giving him a good one! It is a shame some little girls look up to this person.

[karateman39]

She should step down plain and simple. no second chance, no 'oh you're goingto rehanb so we'll forgive you". What a bunch of ***. I don't care where she came from, what the circumstances are, she knew she screwed up and she should pay the price. This is not seting a fine exaple for our youth. Although anyone who looks to these people as role models should think teice.

[greeneyes48]

This girl will go far. What an actress! All that sobbing and not a tear in sight.