Ex-Miss USA pulls out of Jet event

Former Miss USA Tara Conner pulled out of a Las Vegas nightclub event Friday after Donald Trump's national organization viewed it as inappropriate.

Conner, who was almost stripped of her title a year ago, was to be crowned Miss Jet Las Vegas by dethroned Miss Nevada USA Katie Rees at The Mirage. Rees was crowned Miss Jet a year ago in a mock coronation after she was dumped by Nevada's Miss USA organization over shocking photos of her on the Internet.

Sources say Miss USA organizers were informed of the Jet event after an item ran in this column Friday and saw it as another example of Conner's poor judgment and pressured her to back out.

The Jet event was to include a little person impersonating Trump, who owns the Miss USA and Miss Universe franchises.

Trump gave Conner a second chance and allowed her to remain as Miss USA after reports of indiscretions that included underage drinking, drug use and kissing Miss Teen USA Katie Blair of Montana.

Conner's event would have come a few days before an announcement that the Miss USA pageant will be held at Planet Hollywood Resort on April 11.

JAHNA STEELE R.I.P.

Las Vegas transgender legend Jahna Steele has died, according to her close friends.

Steele rose from a Texas altar boy to the title of Las Vegas' sexiest showgirl. She was a member of the "Crazy Girls" topless revue at the Riviera before being outed in 1992 by the syndicated TV show "A Current Affair."

Steele grew up in San Antonio as John Matheny before undergoing a sex change in his early 20s. After her identity became public, she dropped out of show business for several years because of personal issues, including drug use.

"Like many entertainers, I had some problems," Steele told me in an interview in 2004 when she returned to Las Vegas after several years in Hawaii, where she performed in a version of "Boylesque."

Steele's last job on the Strip was reported to be as a warm-up announcer for "La Cage," the female impersonator show at the Riviera.

THE PRIDE OF UTAH

Look for Miss Utah Jill Stevens to have one of the largest cheering sections at today's Miss America finals.

Stevens hails from Cedar City, about a two-hour drive northeast of Las Vegas. And I'm guessing she'll be a sentimental choice because of her military background.

A member of the Utah National Guard for seven years, Stevens served more than a year (2004) in Afghanistan as a combat medic based at Bagram Air Base. When she wasn't riding helicoptors into hot spots, she was treating injured soldiers and assisting Afghan locals.

On one of her missions, she noticed a cross-eyed 5-year-old village girl. Stevens not only talked tribal elders into allowing her to help, but also recruited a U.S. Army surgeon to correct the condition. The child later was Stevens' guest on the base.

A 12-time marathoner, Stevens won the women's division of the first Afghanistan Marathon.

Her biggest local supporter is her father, who works at a Las Vegas auto body shop.

"Miss America Live!" airs on TLC at 8 p.m.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Among the evacuees from the Monte Carlo fire Friday: entertainers Gavin and Lydia, aka Soul Mystique. They had to leave behind all the costumes and props for their show, "Variety Live! Direct from The London Palla- dium," which opens next weekend at the Suncoast. The show will go on, the Suncoast said.

SIGHTINGS

"Entertainment Tonight" host Mark Steines, shooting footage of the Monte Carlo fire from the roof of Planet Hollywood. He was at a news conference to discuss his role as host of the Miss America finals when his bosses called and pressed him into service. ... All five members of Maroon 5, arriving at the Playboy Club about 2:20 a.m. and requesting a private blackjack table. They left about 4 a.m. with three Bunny servers. ... Daryl Hannah and friends, dancing at the Beatles Revolution Lounge (The Mirage) on Thursday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Appoint Mitt Romney Secretary of Lookin' Good." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Barack Obama Campaign Promises (presented by Obama)

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.