Miss U.S.A., Tara Conner, cries after the announcement regarding whether she will be losing her crown in New York yesterday. - Reuters

NEW YORK (AP):

Miss U.S.A., Tara Conner, who had come under criticism amid rumours she had been frequenting bars while underage, will be allowed to keep her title, the Miss Universe Organisation announced Tuesday.

The organisation is owned by Donald Trump and NBC.

"I've always been a believer in second chances," Trump said at a news conference. He and Conner met earlier Tuesday morning.

Conner, who hails from Kentucky, won the title in April and has been living in New York. Recent media accounts of heavy drinking brought a storm of criticism since she was underage at the time. She turned 21 on Monday. If Conner had been dethroned, her title would have been taken over by first runner-up Miss California Tamiko Nash.