Country ... Or Bust?

SCC student turned Miss USA now aiming for country music career

By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer

Miss USA. Tabloid headline maker. Reality show star. The last few years have been a wild ride for Tara Conner, no doubt about it.

A native of the Lake Cumberland area and former Somerset Community College student, Conner is on television screens around the nation once again, this time on the Country Music Television (CMT) series, “Gone Country.”

And that’s not all — soon, Conner will be helping guide young girls on the path toward womanhood at an English finishing school in the upcoming MTV series, “The Girls of Hedsor Hall,” making Conner almost as prolific on reality TV as, say, Ryan Seacrest or Heidi Klum.

Nevertheless, Conner — now a resident of sunny Los Angeles — hasn’t forgotten her old Kentucky home.

“I absolutely miss it,” Conner told the Commonwealth Journal of her old stomping grounds in Russell Springs. “Nothing touches that for me. Home is a little slice of heaven. I can let my hair down, walk around whenever I want to, wear what I want to wear. Everyone greets you with a smile. It’s that southern hospitality.”

Conner is getting back to her southern roots with “Gone Country 3,” the third season of which is currently airing on CMT on Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET. Conner joins a cast of celebrities — including former Monkee Micky Dolenz, rocker Taylor Dayne, drummer Sheila E., “American Idol” runner-up Justin Guarini, actor Richard Grieco, and funk music legend George Clinton — trying to record a hit country single by impressing Big & Rich artist John Rich.

Considering most of those listed above are known for their musical abilities outside of the country genre, how did Conner — whose claim to fame lies on the pageant circuit stage — get mixed up with this motley reality TV crew?

The answer lies in a simple Spring Break special Conner, a model, did for Renegade 83 Productions — the same team responsible for “Gone Country.” Conner’s relationship with the production company launched her into a reality role she thought “sounds like a lot of fun.”

“It’s about being able to go back to my country roots a little, because everything I’ve done since (leaving Kentucky) has been so far from that,” said Conner. “I thought would be great chance to meet a lot of interesting people.”

Yes, but can she sing?

“When I was younger, a lot of my friends were in a band and performed in county fairs. I’d always grab the mic and sing with them,” said Conner. “I’m a singer at heart. I used to sing everywhere I went, but as I got older, that got put on the backburner.”

Conner credits the troubles she’s gone through since claiming the Miss USA crown as providing a heartfelt place from which to draw inspiration for her country songs. After winning wealthy businessman Donald Trump’s 2006 pageant, Conner almost had her sash removed for a whirlwind tour of the realm of substance abuse and partying a bit too hard. Trump allowed a contrite Conner to keep her title, and the pretty blonde in her early 20s did a stint in drug rehab.

It was a dark time in Conner’s life, one which led to a surprising admission on the first episode of “Gone Country 3” last weekend — Conner had contemplated suicide.

“I wasn’t really thinking about talking about that (on the TV show), because I’m so far past those emotions,” said Conner, “but when they were asking me about my background, I just kind of pulled it up.”

Conner said she never seriously considering going through with the act, noting that it was just a “hard time” that she was going through. However, if the fact that she’s emerged on the other end of the tunnel better for her hardships can inspire someone else, it would all be worth it.

“If someone is at their wits’ end and don’t know if things will get better, I’m glad that maybe I can be an example,” said Conner. “They can look at me and say, ‘Hey, she’s doing well for herself.’ Now that the beans have been spilled, maybe I can be a testimony.”

Conner says that while many of the things said about her less-than-wholesome activities at this time were true, many more were just “off-the-wall” rumors. The opportunity to go onto “Gone Country” with everyone thinking they already know her deepest darkest secrets provides a great chance to wipe her slate clean, Conner said, but she insists she’s not as “wild and crazy” as some have made her out to be.

“It was a very scary moment,” she said. “I very much felt like I lot a lot of people down, like I let my hometown down. I needed to go through that, to be pushed to the limit, and if it didn’t happened, I’m not sure I’d be at the place I am today and I love where I am today.”

Since the scandal, Conner has returned to the spotlight, being featured in MTV’s series, “Pageant Place” and as a guest of Trump on WWE Wrestlemania. She’ll also be on “The Girls of Hedsor Hall” beginning Monday, Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. ET on MTV. Conner is the American sandwiched between two very strict British charm school instructors who inherit a group of troubled young American women — ”very violent, very angry,” as Conner describes them — charged with the task of teaching each one how to be a proper lady on the straight-and-narrow.

“We try to help (the girls) turn around their lives,” said Conner. “I’m sort of a ‘good cop,’ compared to the two hardcore British instructors. The show is very moving, (and has) lots of good moments.”

She’s also high on “Gone Country 3,” which she calls a “fun-hearted show” which you can watch with your family. “It just gives you a boost,” she says. “Everyone is so supportive of each other. It’s the perfect little recipe for great show.”

She doesn’t know the outcome yet — the finale will be live, meaning it hasn’t been decided yet — so Conner is just as anxious as her audience to find out how it all goes.

“What you see with Tara (on the show) is what you get,” said Conner. “I am excited to see how the show unfolds. I found a new ability to put my emotions on paper, which opened me up to a whole new world, a new passion. I put my foot in my mouth a few times, and got emotional, learned a new trade. I had such a great experience.”

It’s one that she’s able to enjoy today because of her upbringing here on the shores of Lake Cumberland.

“I’m so blessed to have started there because I can appreciate what the true blessings are in life,” said Conner. “(My Kentucky background) has helped keep me humble, above all else. It keeps me in great balance.”

Text Only