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Soldiers’ daughter named Miss USA

LOS ANGELES — Tennessee’s Rachel Smith, a daughter of former soldiers from Clarksville, Tenn., was named Miss USA on Friday night.

Smith edged out first runner-up Danielle Lacourse of Rhode Island. The other finalists Meagan Yvonne Tandy of California; Cara Renee Gorges of Kansas; and Helen Salas of Nevada.

Smith, 21, realized she had a real shot at the crown when she made it to the top 15. Next up was the swimsuit portion of the pageant, and the journalism graduate told herself: “I’m just going to work it.”

The 5-foot, 11-inch-tall brunette is a graduate of Belmont University and a former intern for the production company behind “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia started off the competition in hopes of succeeding reigning Miss USA Tara Conner.

As promised by producers, the show didn’t shy away from the controversy of the reigning titleholder’s much-publicized bout with alcoholism.

The show opened boldly with a spree of news and interview clips about Conner’s woes, including video from a news conference where Donald Trump, who co-owns the pageant with NBC, announced he would give the Kentucky native a second chance and let her keep her crown.