Scoop!: Miss USA granted a second chance

SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Who knew Donald Trump was such a compassionate guy? The multitasking mogul, in his role as head of the Miss USA pageant, offered misbehaving crown holder Tara Conner a second chance after allegations of drug and underage alcohol use jeopardized her title.

The Kentucky native will put her Miss USA duties on the back burner to enter rehab, said The Donald at a press conference Tuesday, calling Tara “a good person” and declaring that “I’ve always been a believer in second chances.” But he also warned, “She knows that if she makes even the slightest mistake from here on, she will be immediately replaced.”

Tara was widely expected to lose her tiara after it emerged that the pageant queen was known for wild partying at NYC clubs, drinking while underage (she only just turned 21), and publicly canoodling with Miss Teen USA Katie Blair. “She left a small town in Kentucky and she was telling me that she got caught up in the whirlwind of New York,” Trump rationalized. He also denied a report that Tara had failed a drug test.

“You’ll never know how much I appreciate Mr. Trump for saving me on this one,” a teary Tara gushed at the press conference. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to better myself. ... I plan on walking out of this the best Miss USA you’ve ever seen.”

Posh: Spaced Out?

The odd friendship between Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham and newlyweds Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes seems to be getting weirder. The former Spice Girl has reportedly signed on to help Tom spread the Scientology message. The London Daily Star reports that Victoria is slated to play an “alien bride” in a new film based on the L. Ron Hubbard-founded sect. (Yes, aliens figure prominently in Scientologists’ belief system.)

Called “The Thetan” after one of Scientology’s mystical concepts, the film reportedly couldn’t get studio backing (gee, wonder why?) — so Tom himself will pony up the cash to produce his pet project.

Victoria is said to be excited for her Hollywood break (after all, her work in “Spice World” was cruelly overlooked), but one can only imagine that a role in such a film would fuel more rumors that she’s converted to Scientology than buzz about her talent.

Is this merely a wacky tabloid rumor, or one for the “You can’t make this stuff up, folks” file? Time will tell.

Mattgelina? Not Likely

Most guys would be thrilled to kiss Angelina Jolie. But not Matt Damon — who’s a pal of Angie’s main squeeze, Brad Pitt. Playing her husband in “The Good Shepherd” was uncomfortable, Matt told “Good Morning America” on a recent appearance to promote the film: “Doing a love scene with the girlfriend of a good friend is weird. We all know each other.”

So was he worried about Brad kicking his butt after the scene wrapped? Nah. Angelina added on the show, “In reality, both the people we’re involved with couldn’t have cared less … because they know us. It’s one of those things where it’s like the least threatening person. You know, ‘Good luck to you guys, I hope it’s not too awkward.’”

Now that’s trust … especially considering that Angelina and then-married Brad hooked up while playing spouses in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”

But Matt’s marriage of a year to Luciana Barroso, mother of his baby daughter Isabella, seems to be rock-solid, and Angelina doesn’t sound interested in striking any off-screen sparks with her co-star. Asked to describe the difference between kissing Matt and Brad, she summed it up simply: “One’s a friend and one’s my love.”

Kitty Raymond is an entertainment writer who has a celebrity astrology blog at www.celebastroblogy.com.

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