Miss USA Tara Conner, who last month refused to acknowledge that she had problems with drugs, has confessed she took cocaine during her hard-partying days. The beauty queen spoke openly about the issue in her first television interview since ending a 31-day stint in Caron Foundation rehab center in Wernersville, Pa.
" title="Miss USA admits cocaine use, denies to strip for Playboy"/>
Miss USA Tara Conner, who last month refused to acknowledge that she had problems with drugs, has confessed she took cocaine during her hard-partying days. The beauty queen spoke openly about the issue in her first television interview since ending a 31-day stint in Caron Foundation rehab center in Wernersville, Pa.
"I have done cocaine, yeah," said the Conner in an excerpt of interview aired on Wednesday on NBC television's "Today" show. "Cocaine was one of the drugs that I did use," she says. "It's hard to look back at that."
Tara Conner, a Kentucky blonde who was crowned Miss USA 2006 in April, was about to be dethroned for her unacceptable behavior in several New York City bars, and her habit of frequently visiting clubs, taking drinks and depraved style of living. She faced allegations of underage drinking and hard partying.
At a press conference in December, Donald Trump, co-producer of the beauty contest and a real estate businessman, conferred her with a second chance despite reports of teenage excess. He said Conner could hold onto her crown if she changed her lifestyle. Tara than decided to enter rehab.
In an upcoming issue of People magazine, the 21-year-old beauty queen called her recent stint in rehab a ‘wake-up call’. She said, "I didn't think I had an issue - but I was willing to do anything to save my job. ... I've realized that I suffer from the disease of alcoholism and addiction.”
The Oklahoma native, who has a family history of alcoholism, confessed she had dabbled in alcohol and cocaine and said she had all sorts of insecurities from a young age. "Things started unraveling for me very early, at a very young age. Probably about around 14. I have the disease of alcoholism and addiction," she said.
Though, Conner admitted cocaine use and alcoholism, but denied reports that she is set to pose nude in Playboy magazine. She also insisted that she was never drunk while taking part in any pageants.
A spokeswoman for the Miss USA organization confirmed Conner would not pose nude for the magazine. "There was a conversation between Mr Trump and Playboy, but this is not something that Tara wants to do at this point in time. She feels it is inappropriate," she said.
Conner, who had moved to a new apartment in New York since leaving rehab and now lives with a "chaperone", spends time reading instead of running around town. "I thought I needed to be around people, that I needed that acceptance," she says.
The beauty queen is eagerly waiting to get back her Miss USA duties.
To Mr. Stevenson, with all due respect this is not the Miss America pageant queen, this is Donald Trump property, Miss USA. Let's not confuse one decent pageant with a copycat. As for Miss USA, good for her that she found rehab. I hope she's still around in 20 years. Meanwhile, who can really argue that she doesn't truly reflect the attitude and image of her peers in this country.