Miss California’s honesty cost her the Miss USA crown, she says.

Carrie Prejean was the first runner-up in the competition Sunday night, and lost the pageant to Kristen Dalton, Miss North Carolina. Prejean, 21, had to answer a question from celebrity blogger Perez Hilton about whether gay marriage should be legalized.

"In my country, and in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman," Prejean replied during the event. She later told the "Billy Bush" show that her response "cost me my crown." But she’s not spilling tears over it.

"I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I said what I feel. I stated an opinion that was true to myself and that’s all I can do," she insisted, according to Newsday. Prejean said her parents taught her not to compromise her beliefs and opinions. Although some were disappointed with Prejean’s response, she told FOXNews.com that her phone has been ringing off the hook with people offering her support.

"I have no regrets about answering [judge Perez Hilton] honestly," she said. "He asked me for my opinion and I gave it to him. I have nothing against gay people and I didn’t mean to offend anyone in my answer." She also discussed being "tested by God."

"I’ve gotten over 500 Facebook friend requests, hundreds of messages from people I don’t know, saying how proud of me they are that I stood my ground," Prejean said. "That made me the real winner of the night."