Mexicans boo Nude Miss USA at Miss Universe pageant

Treatment of Tennessean spurred by nations strained ties


MEXICO CITY Ð First, Miss USA Rachel Smith slipped and fell on her bottom during the Miss Universe evening gown competition Monday. Then she was booed by hundreds in the Mexican audience.

The treatment of the Tennessee beauty queen was nothing personal. It had more to do with Mexico's sometimes tense relationship with its northern neighbor.

U.S. athletes have sparked a similar response. Mexican crowds booed the U.S. national anthem, and some chanted "Osama! Osama!" during soccer games against the U.S. in 2004 and 2005.

Ms. Smith was booed repeatedly during her stay in Mexico, including when she carried a guitar and wore an Elvis-style suit during a parade of national costumes in downtown Mexico City.

She kept her poise during an interview Monday night with pageant judges, despite the boos and chants of "Mexico! Mexico!"

"I am very passionate about education, and being in South Africa sparked my interest in that," said Ms. Smith, a journalism graduate who volunteered for a month at talk show host Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Then she paused, smiled and spoke in Spanish. "Buenas noches, Mexico. Muchas gracias!" which earned her some applause and some chuckles.

Miss Japan Riyo Mori, who won the crown, opened her interview with "Hola, Mexico!" to cheers and claps.