http://www.people.com/people/article...005299,00.html
Miss Nevada Stripped of Title
By Stephen M. Silverman
Miss Nevada Katie Rees has been stripped of her crown for allegedly appearing in steamy photographs that reportedly have been circulated on the Internet.
In a statement released Thursday, Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, said: "Katie Rees has been relieved of her duties as Miss Nevada USA 2007. First runner-up Helen Salas will assume the title and compete at the 2007 Miss USA Pageant on March 23 in Los Angeles, California."
The 22-year-old, who was crowned in October, was due to represent her state in the Miss USA Pageant next spring.
In a statement to TV's Extra, an attorney for the dismissed beauty queen says: "Katie Rees ... wants the public to know she was 17 and had a lapse in judgment."
As for the photos in question, the statement says: "The actions on that evening in subject are in no way indicative of the person she is or the person she has become. She is a law-abiding citizen and talented adult. This was an isolated incident that occurred more than five years ago when she was a minor."
Her attorney, Mario Torres, added in statement to PEOPLE: "We think it is inequitable that Miss USA was allowed a second chance for something she did weeks ago and Katie is being punished for something that happened five years ago."
Rees's dismissal comes on the same day that the current Miss USA, Tara Conner, who was nearly removed from her throne earlier this week, entered a Pennsylvania rehab facility as one of the conditions Trump imposed upon the 21-year-old after recent reports of her alleged hard-partying ways.
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Sorry, this is a PG blog. But there are more than a few blogs and news sites who have the clearly R-rated photos some of us, errr, you want. Starting at Splash News Online
Some media outlets are reporting that these pictures came from someone's MySpace page. One of them is E! News.
Three thoughts: 1. The only reason Tara Conner kept her job and Katie Rees lost hers was because Rees' transgressions live forever through photos on MySpace.
2. People must remember that sometimes too much information is a bad thing. Especially if you want a job or want to be Miss USA. Collegegrad.com Press had an interesting study about the impact MySpace pages have on a student's ability to a job after college.
3. Bottom line: MySpace and Facebook are great sites. I use them. But the internet remembers everything. That funny photo you put up at 17 might cost you when are 22. Think before you post (I'll try it sometime).
