Miss California on Gay Marriage | 04/21/2009 7:45 am

Miss California Carrie Prejean: Gay Marriage Question Cost Me the Crown (Video)

By The Staff at wowOwow

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."

45 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I’m certainly not an accountant but I am guessing that you and your husband both had strong incomes or one had a high income and the other income put you over into a much higher tax bracket. In that case filing separately makes sense.

Peace to you, too, aud b.

By deber B on 04/21/2009 2:04 pm

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I have to say that I don’t think she is a sore loser. I think she was told by her people that she had the most points up until that question and she would have won if she had answered the question another way. All that doesn’t mean she is a sore loser, it only means she was going off of what her people told her. After every thing quites down they do get a copy of the scores and that tells them who was close and why the person who won won. I do believe that she might have been close but Prejean wasn’t the ony judge there. There where others so even if he gave her a bad score doesn’t mean she would have lost. The other judges had to give her a not so high score also.

With all that said, I don’t think she should be punihsed for her beliefs. she is not the only one in the USA who thinks that marriage should be between a man and a woman. I personally believe that a marriage should be between two people who love each other, it doesn’t matter what sex they are. Thats my belief. I would have voted for her for standing by what she believes and not standing up there and giving the pat answer. What kind of person would that have made her?

By Deidre Martin on 04/21/2009 12:53 pm

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I agree. And at first, when I heard her response, she seemed to stumble a bit with it. But I think what happened was that she started to give the ‘pat answer’ and then midway thought "you know what, I’m going to just be honest." I think she realized it was going to cost her but did it anyway. She should be commended for that, regardless of one’s personal opinions. And she did not say anything meanspirited - unlike you know who.

By Deena B. on 04/21/2009 2:07 pm

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Totally inappropriate questions and she is entitled to her opinion with out judgement.

He now says he called her the "B" word but was thinking the "C" word.

Disgusting! The board should be ashamed for having him as a judge!

By S.J. Morgan on 04/21/2009 1:02 pm

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I hope someone steps up and give her a scholarship that is better for being honest and standing by her convictions.

She should wash your hands of this Pagent that was stupid enough to allow this idiot to judge in the first place.

By S.J. Morgan on 04/21/2009 1:07 pm

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You betcha, SJ: one last thing that I happened to think about as I was rereading the article on ABC… since WHEN did these gals win based on the question they are asked anyhoo? Hasn’t it become cliche to say "I wish for world peace" when asked what your plans are for the future? We all know it’s a beauty contest.. hence the name! I think Perez just wanted to stir the pot.. well, he sure did and not in his favor.

By nanchan u on 04/21/2009 5:41 pm

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This is so true. We all know they are only asked these questions in order to give the illusion that it actually matters if they have a brain. At first, I did think she came across as inarticulate. But after watching this several times, it looks to me like she started to give what she knew was the "acceptable" answer. Then, when she appears to stumble, you can almost see her make a quick decision to throw caution to the wind and just be honest. I think she knew right then that it would cost her but did what her heart told her to do. I applaud her for that.

By Deena B. on 04/21/2009 8:26 pm

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This young lady was probably not the most "articulate" contestant, but she should be commended for her honest answer. Her answer shouldn’t have insulted or offended anyone. Everyone isn’t going to share the same views on gay marriages. However, people should be offended at Perez Hilton reacted. He had no right to call her the horrible names that he called her. I don’t care if you don’t agree with her. She didn’t disrespect gays with her response; he is scum in the true sense of the word. Why was he a judge anyway? People should boycott his website.

By Kristy B on 04/21/2009 6:28 pm

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I agree. Apparently honesty is the best policy only when it’s what people want to hear. Unfortunately, most people who visit his website probably have a similar mindset.

By Deena B. on 04/21/2009 8:54 pm

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LOL! anyone White and Blond is the favorite! I don’t watch this show anymore. Young, White and Blond is not the definition of beauty. When the people that run Miss America realizes this, perhaps I will watch.

By Renee B on 04/21/2009 11:47 pm

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Renee B — First, I must correct you - this is not the "Miss America" pagent. They are a totally different group and are not affiliated with the "Miss USA or Miss Universe" pagents. These pagents are owned and operated by Donald Trump.

Miss America requires the usual beauty pagent goodies (swim suit and gown competition) and also requires talent, along with personality and a personal comittment to a particular cause, which they convey during their reign. The contestants that win receive scholarships to the college of their choice. They are also given monies for personal appearance tours during their reign. The Miss USA and Miss Universe pagents require only beauty, poise, personality. They are awarded with modeling contracts, clothes, acting contracts, etc. And, of course, the opportunity to represent the USA in the Miss Universe Contest which pits her against women from all over the world.

I love beauty pagents — and, white, young and blond is not the order of the day anymore. Especially in the case of the Miss America pagents.

By Lady Gator on 04/22/2009 1:02 pm

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Thanks for the history lesson but all beauty pageants are the same. I don’t fault you for liking pageant’s. Yes, they do offer scholarships but so does a lot of other programs that doesn’t promote the so called "American Dream" hold on; only if you look a certain way. Pageants I believe send a message to young girls that only a "certain type" of young woman can win and represent the ideals of America. Not all women are blonde, thin and thin, LOL.

Blond may not be the order last year or the year before but it is certainly the order of the day today. One step forward, two steps back.

By Renee B on 04/22/2009 10:09 pm