Should Miss USA have lost her crown?
December 20, 2006
Each year, Miss USA is chosen by a panel of judges based on the swimsuit and evening gown competitions, as well as a personal interview.
"Miss USA must conduct herself as a role model, and behavior such as underage drinking is prohibited, a Miss Universe Organization spokeswoman said."
Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006, has been reportedly conducting herself as anything but a role model. News reports claim she had been drinking underage, tested positive for the use of cocaine, and seductively kissed Miss Teen USA Katie Blair in public, among other things.
Now: I don't care that she kissed Katie Blair. The underage drinking hasn't bothered me so much, either. Rather, I'm disturbed by imagining Miss USA hunkered over lines of coke in some dimly lit back alley (because this is how I imagine all cocaine use takes place), overhead light flickering.
As a gesture of good faith, Donald Trump (who jointly owns the Miss USA Organization with NBC) decided to let her keep her title after she agreed to enter rehab and undergo random drug testing.
I'd give you my opinion about this, but I'm not exactly sure what it is yet. Part of me wants to be a good soul, to rally behind the premise of second chances, to support Trump's decision to allow Tara Conner to keep the Miss USA title. The other part of me wants justice, damnit. I want to see consequences beyond a slap on the wrist. I want her to be stripped of her title so that those for whom she acts as a role model, and so that those who are named Miss USA in her wake, will realize that the role is serious and demands to be held by someone with high morals and character.
I'm sitting on the fence, so I want to know: What do you think? Vote below by (a) choosing your response and (b) clicking on "Vote!"
Sources: ABC News, NY Daily News
Comments
I think those things are way more serious than posing for Playboy (which I also would consider a very poor choice for a female "role model"), is what I think. And beauty queens have been stripped of their crowns for that, haven't they? All of those things (except the kiss) are ILLEGAL. There should DEFINITELY be more consequences than just a slap on the wrist!
Posted by: Lorie in Kentucky | December 20, 2006 01:15 PM
Oops...I voted twice! I think she should get her crown taken away, AND be forced to go into rehab. But probably, if they just took her crown away and sent her off, she wouldn't have any drive to go into rehab anymore. In which case, they have her best interest at heart. It's a toughie.
Posted by: Heidi | December 20, 2006 01:33 PM
My answer depends on whether these reports are just rumors or whether there is actual evidence of her drinking excessively and using cocaine.
But she was on Project Runway and was really cute and nice, so that helps my opinion of her. =)
Posted by: -R- | December 20, 2006 01:57 PM
Does "smokin' hot" count for anything or does the coke blowin' totally out you?
~Jef
Posted by: Edge | December 20, 2006 02:05 PM
I happened to catch Donald (and his hair) on the news this morning, claiming that she should be given a second chance because, really, it's New York's fault.
Uh-huh.
I can hear the retroactive reinstatements rolling in to pageant directors already.
Frankly, I'm not sure what sort of role model these winners play, anyway, so maybe it doesn't matter if she keeps the crown or not (from that perspective). On the other hand, if she won it for not being a coke-head pseudo-lesbian, she might as well hand it in on her way to rehab.
Posted by: mike | December 20, 2006 02:13 PM
I read an article about this in one of the NY papers yesterday, and they had a quote from an anonymous source (isn't it always) saying, "she was a really nice girl; always willing to go that extra mile" in club bathrooms. Klassy!
However, I second R's thought; she was so sweet and pretty on Project Runway, and I'm a big sucker, so I sort of feel bad for her.
Posted by: metalia | December 20, 2006 08:22 PM
I say remove her. If the other contestants could manage to keep up with the requirements, then let them have a chance! Runner up becomes winner!!!
Posted by: Julianna | December 21, 2006 12:44 AM
No, all cocaine use happens on a glass coffee table in the living room of a wild party at your best friend's house.
Posted by: Jimmy | December 21, 2006 04:38 AM
I think it is time to put these dog and pony shows to rest forever. I mean, WTF are they about, anyway? Who needs them?
Posted by: Suebob | December 21, 2006 11:44 AM
OK I don't really care... I mean if Miss USA really is a role model for young women, then the USA of my generation must have been a cigarette smokin' red wine drinkin' middle aged overweight woman with a bad attitude....
seriously, unless they end up on the news for drug use of nude photos who can actually NAME a former Miss USA or Miss America??
Posted by: Jenn | December 21, 2006 12:17 PM
She should be removed. I think it would show a lot of character if she still went through rehab and tried to behave better but stepped down from her position herself. I consider her far from a role model.
A role model isn't supposed to be a representative of a generation. A role model is supposed to be a person who shows good character and good judgement; a person with high morals and values who carries herself well. A role model is supposed to be a person young people can look up to, learn from and strive to be like.
Posted by: my life is brilliant | December 21, 2006 12:44 PM