Tara Conner Miss USA 2006, Tara Conner, was born on December 18, 1985, in Russell Springs, Kentucky. After graduating from Russell County High School in 2004, Conner studied business administration at Somerset Community College, and worked as a model and actress. By the time she graduated high school, Conner was already a featured model on the HDNet series Bikini Destinations. Conner was crowned Miss Kentucky Teen USA in 2002, and went on to become Miss Kentucky in 2006. That same year, she became the first female from Kentucky to be crowned Miss USA. However, it was scandal rather than the crown that made Conner a national name. It was reported that Conner was participating in underage drinking, and that she tested positive for cocaine and locked lips with Miss Teen USA, Katie Blair, in public. When Conner brought home the Miss USA crown following her win, she took it to her new home, a swanky apartment at Trump Place in New York City. A media blitz followed her win, including interviews on CNN Headline News, Live! With Regis and Kelly, and The Early Show. Conner also appeared as a guest judge on Heidi Klum’s popular series, Project Runway.
In addition to attending events hosted by such charities as Gilda's Club, Best Buddies, and Project Sunshine, Conner mingled with celebrities at a Land Rover event featuring Maria Sharapova; a US Open Kick-Off Party; a pre-Video Music Awards party hosted by Ciara and Missy Elliot; as well as another Video Music Awards party hosted by Nick Lachey. The whirlwind ended for Conner on December 14, 2006, when TMZ.com broke the news of her possible dethroning following some wild partying at various New York City bars. Executives of the Miss USA pageant, including Donald Trump, met that day to discuss the fate of Conner. Two days later, it was reported that Conner had tested positive for cocaine. On December 19, 2006, Donald Trump held a press conference with Conner, announcing that she would not lose her crown, and that he has "always been a believer in second chances." Meanwhile, a tearful Conner thanked Trump, and promised to not let him down. Trump’s portrayal as the forgiving father-figure during the press conference sparked controversy on the daytime talk show, The View, prompting Rosie O’Donnell to question Trump’s moral authority in light of his own highly-publicized extramarital affairs. Following the press conference, it was announced that Conner would be treated at an alcoholism rehabilitation clinic to address "personal demons." In July 2006, Conner came in fourth runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant. YUDDY | 
