Miss USA Tara Conner, who checked out of rehab on Jan. 21, says she used cocaine prior to her treatment.

“Cocaine was one of the drugs that I did use. It’s hard to look back at that,” she tells PEOPLE in its new issue. “I was an equal-opportunity [user] – I would try anything once.”

The 21-year-old Russell Springs, Ky., native spent 31 days at the Caron Foundation rehab facility in Wernersville, Pa., as part of a “second chance” offered to her by Donald Trump, co-owner of the Miss Universe organization, following press reports of underage drinking, drug use and promiscuity.

When asked about the rumored romantic escapades, she hedges: “I would talk to more than one guy at once – it doesn’t mean that I was sexually active with every one of these people.”

It was alcohol, she says, that had the biggest hold on her. Citing a family history of alcoholism, Conner says that for many years she was “a functioning alcoholic. If I got caught [drinking], I would stop – I was able to do that.”

(Conner also says in a Today interview airing Thursday, “I have done cocaine, yes.” According to the New York Post’s Page Six, Conner tells Matt Lauer she took antidepressants and other drugs that triggered an allergic reaction.)

Before rehab, she tells PEOPLE, “I thought I needed to be around people, that I needed that acceptance.” Now, instead of going to clubs, she enjoys reading at home – a home she shares with a chaperone.

“I just can’t wait to get back to work,” she says. ” ‘I’m Miss U.S.A., my name is Tara Conner, and I’m happy to meet you,’ you know? Life’s good.”

TMZ has learned R&B sensation Brandy was involved in a fatal accident last month, and it appears to be her fault.

It happened at 10:30 AM on December 30, 2006 on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Brandy was driving her 2007 Land Rover at 65 mph and did not notice that cars in front of her had slowed considerably. We’re told Brandy’s vehicle struck a 2005 Toyota. The Toyota then hit a 1989 Toyota. The 2005 Toyota then slid sideways and hit the center divider. As the 2005 Toyota came to a halt, it was struck by a 1988 Acura.

We’re told the driver of the 2005 Toyota was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in critical condition and she died.

Brandy was not injured. The driver of the Acura suffered moderate injuries.

Brandy was not arrested and there is no evidence drugs or alcohol were involved.

Police are doing a mechanical investigation of the cars involved in the accident to determine if there was a malfunction.

Brandy’s “Moesha” co-star, Lamont Bentley, was killed in January, 2005 when his car plunged off the same freeway. Another “Moesha” co-star, Merlin Santana, was killed by a gunshot wound while sitting in the passenger seat of a car in 2002.

Statement from Brandy:
Brandy was involved in a car accident December 30, 2006 in Los Angeles where there was a fatality. She wishes to publicly express her condolences to the family of the deceased. Brandy asks that you respect the privacy of everyone involved at this time.

I was SO proud to see a fellow Oregonian on American Idol – and that he MADE IT to Hollywood! 

You probably wouldn’t see me cheering him on with a big ol’ homemade poster, but hey – I thought it was cool he was from Oregon.  (And Clackamas is only about a 1/2 hour away!)

But then he’s gotta go and have a friggin criminal record!

From TMZ:

Before he wowed Simon, Paula and Randy during last night’s “American Idol,” Thomas Daniels took his fair share of punishment from real judges over several criminal charges, including drunk driving.

TMZ has unearthed legal documents which reveal that in 2004, Daniels was convicted of DUI in Clackamas, Oregon. The 21-year-old, who was the first wannabe to get the green light from the “AI” crew on last night’s show, pled guilty and was sentenced to a one-year alcohol diversion program and a $680 fine. Daniels also attended eight AA meetings and saw a counselor once a week for two months. After the completing his DUI sentence, the incident was wiped from Daniels’ record.

TMZ spoke exclusively with Daniels who said, in reference to his DUI, “I was young and dumb and drinking and driving.”

In December 2005, Daniels was arrested again; this time for hit and run. He failed to appear in court for the arraignment for the hit and run, so Daniels was arrested again. TMZ could not find the disposition of the hit and run. Daniels called the incident “another young and dumb situation.”

When asked if he disclosed his criminal past to “American Idol” producers, Daniels had no comment.

First Oregon had Tonya Harding to be proud of…now this!

TMZ has learned that police are conducting a criminal investigation into allegations that R & B singer Tyrese punched his pregnant girlfriend twice in the stomach early this morning.

Police sources tell us that Tyrese’s live-in girlfriend claimed that the two got into a heated argument around 5:30 AM at their Los Angeles home. According to our sources, paramedics responded after Tyrese allegedly struck the woman, who is five months pregnant, twice in the stomach and then drove away from the scene.

More info to come…

Source

OUCH.

Wow, a celebrity that actually gets a ticket!? That’s strange.

Mrs. David Arquette was pulled over in Beverly Hills yesterday on her way to meeting her hubby, and given a ticket by Beverly Hills finest.

Once reunited with husband David, he consoled the cited wifey.

Source

Police photo Filmmaker Gus Van Sant. Van Sant, 54, was arrested at 1:48 a.m. Thursday on Burnside Street, in the city center, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, Portland Police Bureau spokesman. 

A breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 percent, Schmautz said. That’s more than twice the state limit, 0.08 percent.

An officer initially noticed that the headlights on Van Sant’s vehicle weren’t on. Van Sant had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, smelled of alcohol and failed the sobriety tests, according to Schmautz.

Calls to Van Sant’s film company seeking comment were not immediately returned. Van Sant directed such films as “My Own Private Idaho,” “Drugstore Cowboy,” “Good Will Hunting” and “Finding Forrester.”

Several of his films have been set in Oregon, including “Elephant,” about a high school shooting, which won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003. He has been filming “Paranoid Park” in and around the city.

Source

Here’s are photos of Britney and her friends being asked to get off the stage at Forty Deuce last weekend.

I just don’t even know what to say anymore….she’s nasty nate.