Pageant News Bureau - Miss USA 2007

Miss Smith goes to the big time

In a surprisingly low-key event considering the scandal-driven publicity that surrounded the pageant a few months earlier, Rachel Smith of Tennessee was crowned Miss USA 2007 on March 23, 2007, in Los Angeles. She will compete at Miss Universe.

Just a few weeks earlier, some analysts had expected the pageant to generate a media feeding frenzy. In December 2006, Miss USA Tara Conner had been forced into rehab (eventually acknowledging drug use) and Katie Rees had been stripped of her title of Miss Nevada USA after photographs surfaced of her involved in sexually vulgar behavior at a party.

But the 2007 pageant simply alluded to Ms. Conner's repentance and road to recovery. And the competition, which was not heavily advertised, faced huge ratings
competition in the United States because of the NCAA basketball tournament. "Perhaps they missed an opportunity," one analyst said, "or perhaps their concerns about the pageant's image outweighed a desire for attention."

The first runner-up to Ms. Smith was Danielle Lacourse of Rhode Island, and the second runner-up was Cara Renee Gorges of Kansas. The third runner-up was Meagan Yvonne Tandy of California, and the fourth runner-up was Helen Salas of Nevada, the replacement for Ms. Rees.

Others among the top 10 were Lauren Barnette of Virginia, Heather Anderson of Utah, Chanel Wise of Hawaii, Magen Leigh Ellis of Texas and Amber Marie Seyer of Missouri. Others among the top 15, who advanced far enough to compete in the swimsuit competition, were Elizabeth Bienvenue McNulty of Louisiana, Erin O'Kelley of North Carolina, Ashley Derham Zais of South Carolina, Caitlin Shea Morrall of Wisconsin and Kelly Best of Michigan.

Stephanie Ann Trudeau of Montana was chosen Miss Congeniality, and Rebecca Moore was chosen Miss Photogenic.

One bit of history is in the new winner's favor: The last Miss USA carrying the name "Smith" -- Chelsi Smith in 1995 -- was crowned Miss Universe.

Miss USA 2007

Los Angeles, March 23, NBC-TV