Tara Sinks; Trump Likes the Ink
It won't be a very happy 21st birthday today for Tara Conner: The Kentucky beauty is on the verge of losing her Miss USA crown over allegations of drug use and excessive partying, and sources tell TMZ she will be replaced tomorrow officially by Tamiko Nash, Miss California.
The damning evidence continues to mount against Conner, whose tumultuous reign began in April. Yesterday, the New York Daily News reported that Conner had failed a drug test for cocaine. Sources confirm to TMZ that after she was "caught red-handed," she took a hair follicle drug test that returned positive for coke.
What's more, we're told that pageant officials knew they had a problem with Conner and her wild ways "the minute she was crowned," and have been deeply troubled by her friendship with 18-year-old Miss Teen USA Katie Blair. The pair have been spotted
kissing (yes -- each other) in bars, and returning together to her posh Trump Place apartment -- which Conner has since vacated -- late at night with a variety of men. To be clear, a rep for the pageant says that the allegations about Miss Teen USA are totally unfounded.
Meanwhile, TMZ has learned that The Donald himself could have made a decision on Conner's future weeks ago, and allowed the matter to pass with a minimum of media attention. However, according to a well-placed insider, Trump has been relishing the publicity that the Conner situation has generated for his pageant and let the fiasco continue to play out.
Tara may be cheered a bit to learn that at least one payday awaits: Penthouse magazine has been actively courting her services for a photo spread...
Hollywood Urban Legends
Urban legends are stories with obscure origins, usually with little or no supporting evidence. Crazy circumstances associated with some of our favorite A-listers -- just happen to be true, while some are just myths. Find out which of Tinseltown's most outrageous legends are for real, and which are just a lot of baloney.
Jagger and Bowie Busted -- It's TRUE!
David and Mick were dancing in the sheets, or at least just passed out naked when Angela Bowie walked in on the two. Angela went on the Joan Rivers show to dish on her ex-marriage, just after a ten-year silence agreement had expired. She got cold feet at first when Joan and fellow guest Howard Stern starting digging for the goods.
Eventually, she spilled the beans. She later reneged on the issue of bisexual implications, saying that the two were asleep and just happened to be naked. She later claimed that she believed what everyone else assumed. So, according to David Bowie's ex-wife, this legend is no myth.
Gere's Gerbil Gibberish -- FALSE
Although many sources have "confirmed" that an actual case (not Richard Gere) of the gerbil in the rectum does exist, TMZ wasn't able to find such a case. We will say that this myth is just that. A big lie that has been attached to many male stars, not just Richard. There is a rumor that Richard Gere believes Sylvester Stallone started this rumor when the two actors had bad blood on the set of the 1974 movie "The Lords of Flatbush." Sly, however, claims that he did not start this rumor. As far as we know, no actual rodents or rectums were harmed, just Gere's reputation.
Rock Hudson and Jim Nabors -- I Take Thee
Legend is that Rock Hudson and Jim Nabors were married.
Manson Wonder Boy -- FALSE!
Although Marilyn Manson, formerly Brian Warner, reminds us of the kid that was tormented in school for his nerdy appearance, he didn't play one on TV. The actual actor was Josh Saviano. You might also remember Josh from his TV movie, "Camp Cucamonga." Or not. Either way, this legend is as made up as Manson.
Mick Jagger and David Bowie in the Sack!
Legend is that David Bowie's wife caught him in bed with Mick Jagger.
Munchkin Suicide -- FALSE!
No little people were injured during the making of "The Wizard of Oz." The Wicked Witch, Margaret Hamilton, was badly burned when her flammable green makeup ignited, and the originally cast Tin Man, Buddy Ebsen, was sickened by silver makeup, but that's it for mishaps in Oz. What people claimed was a suicide caught on film was actually a large bird that was roaming around the set for the talking forest scene. You remember the scene where they discover the Tin Man rusted into silence? To make the indoor set appear more realistic, the Los Angeles Zoo loaned MGM several birds in various sizes. That's all it was. It was a giant bird but no one was hung.
The Death Of Urkel
Legend is that Jaleel White, who played Urkel on "Family Matters" committed suicide.
Nicholson Legend -- TRUE!
Jack was born April 22, 1937 to 17-year-old June Nicholson. Nicholson grew up believing that his grandmother, Ethel May, was his mother, and that June was actually his sister. Jack's aunt eventually revealed the outrageous secret to him. Jack was stunned. Neither June, who acted as his sister, nor Ethel ever told the truth about Jack's parentage ... and both went to their graves before it had been revealed.
Munchkin Hung
The legend says that an actor portraying one of the Munchkins in "The Wizard of Oz" hung himself on the set and that his death was captured and actually made it into the final cut of the movie.
Sly's Dirty Secret -- It's TRUE!
Sly started his career by flashing his flesh in a little flick called "Party at Kitty and Stud's." Although it sounds very "Weekend at Bernie's," don't let that fool you. It's full-on porno. The movie was later re-released under the title "The Itallion Stallion," after "Rocky" made Sly a household name. For those interested, the Itallion stallion is said to be far from a stallion, if you know what we mean. This just goes to show that even though you shouldn't believe everything you hear, sometimes you should.
Richard Gere's Gerbil Mayhem
Legend is that "Pretty Woman" star Richard Gere was rushed to the emergency room to have a gerbil removed from his rectum.
Hudson and Nabors Vows -- FALSE
This myth started way back in the day before gay celebrities like Elton John and Rosie O'Donnell had very public weddings. Rock Hudson said that this legend probably got started when some gay party-throwers in Huntington Beach sent out invitations to 500 people with the joke headline, "You are cordially invited to the wedding reception of Rock Hudson and Jim Nabors." Most of America didn't know about Hudson being gay until he said he had AIDS and was outed. Jim Nabors, who is listed as gay in various articles, has never publicly acknowledged his sexuality -- either way. This "wedding invite" apparently started the rumor, but the two, who knew each other, were never "married."
Marilyn Manson, Wonder Boy!
Legend is that King of Goth, Marilyn Manson, played Kevin Arnold's geeky sidekick Paul Pfeiffer on "The Wonder Years."
Urkel's Death -- FALSE
This horrible Hollywood Urban Legend was started by a fake Associated Press article that was spread via the Internet. The article stated that White was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. They also claimed that he was "found dead" and at the same time pronounced dead on arrival. People were so shocked by the news that most who read the article failed to notice the conflicting reports. If there are any people left that haven't heard, Jaleel is alive and well. In fact, he's got a small role in "Dreamgirls" as a nasty booking agent.
Sly's Porn Days
Legend is that Sylvester Stallone made his screen debut in a porn flick.
Nicholson's Family Shocker
Legend has it that Jack Nicholson found out at age 37 that his sister was actually his mother.
Beyonce's Beef is a Family Affair
Beyonce's not creating the supposed catfight with "Dreamgirls" costar Jennifer Hudson – her daddy Matthew is.
As E!'s Marc Malkin reports, during the filming of "Dreamgirls," the ever-overbearing Matthew tried to sign Hudson as a management client, only to rebuffed by the former "American Idol" contestant. Despite her rejection, Matthew went around telling people he'd been representing the breakout star.
What's more, after an early screening, both Matthew and B's mom (Tina) flipped over Hudson's screen time, arguing with writer/director Bill Condon that the flick needed to be recut and include more B and less J -- Condon refused.
Of course it's not the first time Matthew has gone ballistic over Beyonce. Back in June, when TMZ posted video of PETA confronting Beyonce over her fondness for fur, Matthew tried just about everything in his quiver to get it taken down. It didn't work.
First Runner-Up to Become Miss USA
With her dethroning imminent, Tara Conner's days as Miss USA are numbered. There she goes.
One day after pageant boss Donald Trump publicly denied that reigning Miss USA Tara Conner was being dethroned, TMZ has learned that first runner-up, Miss California Tamiko Nash, will be inheriting the crown.
A source tells TMZ that Miss California was contacted with the news by a high-ranking pageant official and told she will take the title once Trump finally makes the official announcement in the coming week.
The Miss USA Organization released a statement on Thursday stating that they are "evaluating" Conner's "behavioral and personal issues" in order to decide how they will go forward with her reign. Conner's questionable behavior allegedly stems from inappropriate behavior at New York nightclubs. The underage beauty queen turns 21 on Monday.
Tamiko Nash is a Los Angeles native and appeared on NBC's "Deal or No Deal" earlier this year.
A rep for Miss USA tells TMZ, "Mr. Trump will make a decision in the upcoming week regarding Tara Conner and her reign. No one has been contacted and no decisions have been made."
Related
Articles
Paris is No "Space" Cadet
Paris Hilton is the latest Hollywood "star" to incur the wrath of MySpace impersonators.
News reports from several "reputable" sources have been reporting that Paris Hilton was using her MySpace blog to defend Britney Spears. In the fake blog, the "heiress" states that Brit is a great mom who is always there for her children, and that Britney's partying is just the normal behavior for a 25-year-old.
While these are thoughts that could possibly be in Hilton's head, only Miss Hilton knows for sure. TMZ contacted Paris' rep, Elliot Mintz, who revealed that "Paris did not write it. She does not have a MySpace account."
Related
Articles
Photos
New Timberlake 'SNL' Details Revealed
TMZ has learned more details about Justin Timberlake's "Saturday Night Live" appearance this weekend.
Justin will more than likely bring "The Barry Gibb Talk Show" back (nothing is set in stone; afterall, this is a live show). But he won't be performing his hit, "SexyBack." Instead, he will sing "My Love" and "What Goes Around." Our source also tells us that Timberlake might "bring it on in to Omeletville" again -- a sketch where Justin dressed up as an omelet while shilling for a local breakfast joint.
Justin twice performed in the "The Barry Gibb Talk Show" sketch, once when he hosted in 2003 and again in 2005, when girlfriend Cameron Diaz hosted. Jimmy Fallon, his co-star in the sketch and former "SNL" cast member, is rumored to be making an unbilled appearance.
The bit features Fallon as Bee Gee frontman Barry Gibb, with Justin as brother Robin -- co-hosting a political talk show while sounding like the Bee Gees.
See also
Miss USA Dethroned?
TMZ has learned that officials from the Miss USA pageant will make a "major announcement" today and may strip reigning Miss USA Tara Conner of her title due to inappropriate behavior.
Sources tell TMZ that executives from the Miss USA organization and NBC (which broadcasts the pageant) met Tuesday to discuss Conner and alleged incidents of her inappropriate behavior, including her conduct at New York City bars. While no one from the pageant would comment on the rumored troubles, several sources tell TMZ that a big announcement is expected some time Thursday. According to these sources, officials are extremely unhappy with the current Miss USA's conduct in public.
Pageant rules say that if Connor is removed, first runner-up Miss California Tamiko Nash will assume the duties of Miss USA and complete the remainder of the beauty queen's reign. When TMZ contacted a rep for Nash, we were told they could "neither confirm nor deny" that she would be taking over the title.
Twenty-year-old Conner, who hails from Russell Springs, Kentucky, was crowned Miss USA in April of 2006. As part of her duties Connor often takes part in high profile media events. She recently boarded the Black Pearl for a "Pirates of the Caribbean" promotion in Baltimore.
UPDATE: Donald Trump, who owns the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, told CNN that "Reports that Miss USA is being 'dethroned' are absolutely not true." He then said that Conner is "going through some personal problems and difficulties right now which could affect her ability to reign. We are right now looking into what we can do to work with her and what we will do about her reign going forward."
UPDATE: The Miss USA Organization has issued the following statement: "Miss USA Tara Conner has not been dethroned. The Miss Universe Organization and Mr. Donald J. Trump will be evaluating her behavioral and personal issues to see what we can do to work with her, and what we will do about her reign going forward. Mr. Trump will make a determination and announcement within the coming week."