Monday, February 5, 2007

Coke and Crowns: The Miss Universe Dis-organization

The Miss Universe Organization has been intensely criticized ever since its current Miss USA, Tara Conner (pictured left) admitted to drugs and alcohol abuse. “Cocaine was one of the drugs that I did use. It's hard to look back at that. I was an equal-opportunity (user) – I would try anything once,” said Conner. It all began last December when reports of Ms. Conner seen partying hard, drinking underage and being promiscuous with men became public. Owner of the Miss USA pageant and of the Miss Universe Organization, Donald Trump, considered removing her title in consequence of her bad behavior. He instead decided to give her a second chance and announced that she would attend a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic in Pennsylvania.

Many women who view Miss USA as a role model were upset to hear that her title was not stripped away. Miss USA 2005, Chelsea Cooley, and this year’s first runner up, Tamiko Nash, made an appearance on the Dr. Keith Ablow Show to comment on Trump’s decision. During the show, both women expressed their personl opnions about Conner's current state. The news of Tara's drug and alcohol use was “very disappointing” and “unfortunate,” and left her wondering if Conner ever "looked at it (being Miss USA) as a job," said Cooley. According to the Miss USA's website, the organization “is an international company that advances and supports today’s women. These women are savvy, goal-oriented and aware. The delegates who become part of the Miss Universe Organization display those characteristics in their everyday lives both as individuals who participate in the competitions to advance their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and as a woman who seeks to improve the lives of others.”

Trump’s decision to give Conner a second chance said a lot about what he feels is a good role model for young women. Not only is he implying that experimenting with drugs is acceptable, but also that the Miss Universe organizations tolerates immoral behavior. I do understand his take on forgiving people and allowing them to make up for their faults, but Conner made the wrong decision to participate in illegal activity while holding the title as Miss USA. It is not fair for other women who take that title seriously and have to sit back and watch someone else take advantage of it. Having participated in pageants myself, I know how much of an honor it is to receive a pageant title and how important it is to keep a positive image through out one’s reign.

Another controversy within the organization that also happened last winter involved Miss Nevada, Katie Rees (pictured right) being stripped from her title due to racy girl on girl photos that appeared on the internet. In an attempt to speak out about the issue, Rees’ attorney, Mario Torres said, "She clearly acknowledges that her actions were not appropriate and she deeply regrets them-- but it was an isolated incident and long before she even thought of entering the Nevada USA pageant." I sympathized for what happened to Rees because although her scandal was awful, it happened more than four years ago prior to her joining the pageant. If anyone were to be dethroned, it should have been Ms. Conner. Potential contestants who participate in any of the pageants can view the titles in a negative way or would at least take it for granted. The problem originated with Tara Conner and Trump not giving her the right punishment. Now, it seems that the bad publicity surrounding the organization is diminishing the desire for women to participate in well renowned pageants.

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