By Alex Veiga
Associated Press
Saturday, March 24, 2007

LOS ANGELES, March 23 -- Rachel Smith, a journalism graduate from Tennessee, was crowned Miss USA on Friday, edging out 50 other women in a contest to replace a titleholder whose reign was nearly marred by a scandal.

Smith, 21, of Clarksville, graduated from Belmont University and interned last year for the production company behind "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

The top finalists were Meagan Yvonne Tandy of California, Cara Renee Gorges of Kansas, Helen Salas of Nevada and Danielle Lacourse of Rhode Island.

Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia vied to succeed Miss USA Tara Conner, who entered rehab after accounts surfaced suggesting she was boozing at New York clubs. The episode might have cost the Kentucky native her crown, but Donald Trump, who co-owns the pageant with NBC, gave her a second chance.

The telecast didn't shy away from the controversy, opening with a string of news and interview clips about Conner's woes. Then, the 21-year-old blonde, wearing a strapless, ruffled gown, emerged on stage.

"It has been the most unforgettable year of my life and I'm back, and better than ever," Conner said to wild applause from the audience at the Kodak Theatre.

During a brief onstage interview with the show's hosts, Tim Vincent and Nancy O'Dell of "Access Hollywood," Conner said her future plans include writing a book, "correspondence work and a little bit of acting."

During the swimsuit competition, the beauty queens performed a synchronized strut on stage wearing blue, pink or lilac bikinis before posing individually for the judges. All the competitors also had brief walk-ons in their evening gowns before the finalists took their solo strolls for the audience.

The audience, given the opportunity to cast votes, selected Rebecca Moore of Alabama as Miss Photogenic. The contestants voted Stephanie Trudeau of Montana as Miss Congeniality.