A 5-foot, 11 inch tall brunette from Tennessee is the new Miss USA. Rachel Smith, a product of Belmont University made the top 15 out of 50 aspiring candidates to succeed controversial Tara Conner. Conner entered rehab after she was found to be engaging in drinking sprees at local taverns in New York. She was actually in danger of losing her crown but was given a second chance by Donald Trump, the co-owner of the pageant with NBC.
Smith, a journalism graduate bested 50 other aspiring candidates for the Miss USA title. She bested fellow candidates Meagan Yvonne Tandy of California; Cara Renee Gorges of Kansas; Helen Salas of Nevada; and Danielle Lacourse of Rhode Island, who was named the first runner-up. Smith was at a loss for words but openly admitted that the shoes left by Conner will surely be challenging. Smith was also a former intern for the production company behind ”The Oprah Winfrey Show”.
