In what is rapidly becoming the newest American tradition, Miss USA Crystle Stewart completely wiped out during the evening gown portion of last night’s Miss Universe competition, just like Rachel Smith did last year. She handled it like a champ but failed to make it to the finals, proving that being able to walk in high heels is indeed a desirable quality.

Video after the jump.
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Crystle Stewart, a 26-year-old from Texas, was crowned Miss USA 2008 this weekend. She's the fifth black Miss USA, and obviously pretty, smart, and very happy. She succeeds Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith, who is also black. No one tripped and fell or said anything egregiously stupid. And I'm guessing this one won't end up in rehab. That's about all I can say about a beauty pageant I neither watched nor care about.

Until Miss Universe…

Despite rumors to the contrary, Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in Las Vegas passed inspection and opened (in typical grand style) last night for LeBron James' 23rd birthday party. Lots of stars were in attendance, but expect more at tonight's New Year's Eve party — apparently, none of these people mind spending two nights in a row at Jay-Z's club. More pictures, including one of Rev. Al "Decency in Hip Hop" Sharpton throwing up the Roc sign with Memphis Bleek and Beanie Sigel, after the jump.

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We can stop wondering about how Nick Cannon pulls so many girls who are out of his league. He just bothers the hell out of them until they capitulate. Persistence is key.

FRESH off his split from fiancée Selita Ebanks, Nick Cannon is moving on. He has a major crush on Miss USA Rachel Smith and he's been going all-out trying to win her over. "Last week, he sent her several dozen roses, chocolates and balloons," said a source. "When she opened her apartment door, the hallway was flooded with stuff, and on each item was a different hand-written note from Nick to her." No word yet if Smith wants to date him. Cannon's rep had no comment.

Rachel Smith, Selita Ebanks, Christinia Milian, Kim Kardashian, this chick…Nick Cannon definitely has a type.

In Touch magazine is officially five years old, and, although you probably don't care at all, quite a few people (your favorite blog editor included) chose to attend their big celebration last night at NYC's Tenjune. And I'm sure Kanye West's special performance had nothing to do with it.

As I hinted in this morning's Rewound, Janet Jackson was there with Jermaine Dupri, and, pardon me if I engage in a bit of exaggeration, she saved everyone in the packed club from a fiery death! Okay. Actually, she spotted a girl whose hair was on fire and put it out. So she saved the woman in question from some serious burns, which is commendable.

Check out some red carpet pics from the event after the jump, although a few people, such as Swizz Beatz, Evan Ross, Miss USA Rachel Smith, and LL Cool J aren't pictured. The latter stood emotionless, his eyes concealed by mirrored sunglasses, during Kanye's entire (amazing) performance. Could LL be taking out his Jay-Z aggression on K.W.?

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• Missing black woman alert. You probably won't hear about her on the news, so read about Nailah Franklin here. [RR]

• To paraphrase Cord from Mollygood, if MTV had a Hot Bumpkin Mess, this would be the lead story. [AP]

• Don't worry, Kim K. Your secret's safe with us. [Jossip]

• I really just wish they hadn't named their new disc Baby Makin' Project. [SP

Oh, Rachel Smith. She's the fourth African American Miss USA in history and probably the first to fall flat on her ass during the evening gown competition of the Miss Universe pageant and still win fourth runner up. To make matters worse, the biracial beauty queen also got booed at last night's international ceremony, which was held in Mexico. What can I say? When you choose to represent the U.S., even if it's just with a sash and a tiara, you also represent Bush's foreign policy. Sucks for Rachel Smith.

[MG]