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MISS KENTUCKY CROWNED MISS USAĆ 2006
MUO PHOTO
DURING LIVE NBC TELECAST ON APRIL 21ST
Baltimore, MD April 21, 2006– This evening, during one of the year's most exciting
live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose
Miss Kentucky USA, Tara Elizabeth Conner as MISS USAĆ 2006.
Ms. Conner is a 20 year-old from Russell Springs, Kentucky
who is currently studying
business administration at
Somerset Community College.
Dancing With The Star's cycle two winner
Drew Lachey and Access Hollywood Nancy O'Dell,
hosted the live telecast from the 1st Mariner Arena
in Baltimore, Maryland.
Commentary was provided by Carson Kressley of Bravo's
"Queer Eye" along with the reigning
Miss USA, Chelsea Cooley throughout the live telecast.
Celebrity Judges for the Pageant included:
Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalist
Chad Hedrick;
"Apprentice' regular and budding real estate developer,
Donald Trump Jr.;
shoe guru Steve Madden;
NBC's "Passion's" star, James Hyde;
"America's Next Top Model' winner and
the new face of CoverGirl cosmetics, Nicole Linkletter;
Super Bowl MVP, Hines Ward;
television personality Jillian Barberie;
and Vice President & General Manager -
North America and Global Cosmetics,
Procter and Gamble, Gina Drosos.
Throughout the two-hour event,
the contestants competed in three categories:
swimsuit, evening gown and interview.
During these competitions the "Top Five' finalists
were selected before the crowning.
Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005,
crowned her successor at the conclusion
of the two-hour primetime telecast
, before an estimated worldwide viewing
audience of more than 250 million.
Final Results:
First Runner Up: Miss California USA, Tamiko Nash,
will assume the duties of Miss USA 2006
if the titleholder is named Miss UNIVERSE 2006
or for some reason cannot fulfill
her responsibilities.
Second Runner Up: Miss Georgia USA, Lisa Wilson
Rest of Top Five: Miss Ohio USA, Stacy Offenberger and
Miss Florida USA, Cristin Duren.
Rest of Top Ten: Miss Alabama USA, Haleigh Stidham;
Miss District of Columbia USA,
Candace Allen; Miss Rhode Island USA, Leeann Tingley;
Miss South Carolina USA,
Lacie Lybrand;
Miss Texas USA, Lauren Lanning.
Miss Photogenic Award: Miss Florida USA, Cristin Duren.
The general public voted on www.nbc.com
for the delegate who exemplifies beauty
through the lens of a camera.
Congeniality Award: Miss Minnesota USA, Dottie Cannon.
The award reflects the respect
and admiration of the delegate's peers,
who voted for her as the most congenial,
charismatic and inspirational participant.
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