California's Carrie Prejean Joins Movement Against Gay Marriage

When Miss California appeared Friday night on CNN (above), she insisted she wasn't a poster girl for the movement against gay marriage—just a beauty pageant contestant answering a tough question.

But U.S. News Whisperer Paul Bedard reports that Carrie Prejean has now officially joined the movement. She's coming to D.C. tomorrow to unveil a new ad by the National Organization for Marriage that focuses on her Miss USA experience.

The National Organization for Marriage describes the ad this way:

No Offense," the next ad in NOM's $1.5 million national ad campaign, will be previewed for the media. What happens when a young California beauty pageant contestant is asked "do you support same-sex marriage?" She is attacked viciously for having the courage to speak up for her truth and her values. But Carrie's courage inspired a whole nation and a whole generation of young people because she chose to risk the Miss USA crown rather than be silent about her deepest moral values. "No Offense" calls gay marriage advocates to account for their unwillingness to debate the real issue: gay marriage has consequences.

Exclusive: Donald Trump Breaks Silence on Miss California's Gay Marriage Comments

Donald Trump has broken his silence.

The owner of the Miss Universe franchise finally addressed the scandal surrounding his Miss USA pageant to FOX News Thursday, saying that he has received thousands of calls and letters, the majority of which support Miss California's comments on gay marriage.

Trump had been mum during the firestorm that followed the Sunday telecast, when first runner up Carrie Prejean's responded to a question about the controversial issue of gay marriage.

When asked by judge Perez Hilton, an openly gay gossip blogger, whether she believed in gay marriage, Prejean said "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

Many have argued that the answer cost Prejean the crown. But Trump disagreed, congratulating Dalton and saying that she deserved to win.

"I am very honored that she won," Trump told FOX News. "She really did a fantastic job ... She was doing well on every single card and she really did answer also a very, very tough question very well."

But Trump defended Prejean as well, disagreeing with Perez Hilton's assertion that it was the worst answer in the history of the Miss USA pageant.

"Miss California has done a wonderful job, that was her belief ... It wasn't a bad answer, that was simply her belief."

Trump added that Prejean's question was "a bit unlucky," arguing that no matter how she answered the question "she was going to get killed."

Prejean told FOX News that she believes her question cost her the crown. Dalton, the winner, told FOX News that she was not bothered by all the attention garnered by the first runner up because she feels it brings attention to the Miss USA organization, but that she was confident in her win.

"I think if they watch the pageant and they see the scores throughout the competition, they'll see who was in the lead throughout the competition," Dalton said. "There was a panel of 12 judges, it was collective judging, it wasn't just one judge that made her not win."

She also argued that she did not feel it was an unfair question, as it is an issue that concerns all Americans, and she has been asked the question about "five times in her career."

Dalton's title comes with a year's use of a New York apartment, a public relations team, a two-year scholarship at the New York Film Academy and an undisclosed salary.

Miss California Carrie Prejean Was Biblically Correct in Marriage Comments

Beauty queen says she would not change a thing about her answer on Miss USA

Over the weekend, beauty queen Carrie Prejean, Miss California running for the title of Miss USA, offended many when she said she believed marriage should be exclusively between a man and a woman because that was how she had been raised. However, even if this statement cost her her crown, she is not sorry, as she has just revealed to Matt Lauer on “Today,” as TMZ informs.

Speaking with the talk show host, Prejean restated her belief that anyone in America was free to have their own opinions, even at the cost of something they held as dearly as she did the crown of Miss USA. Moreover, at everybody’s suggestion that she should have played it more safe and have found a way to diplomatically answer the question, the beauty queen has only one thing to say: as far as she’s concerned, she was biblically correct and, because of that, she has no regrets.

“The way that I answered might have been offensive... but for me, it was being biblically correct.” Prejean tells Lauer on the show. Of course, she is admittedly aware that many took it personally as an offense, despite the fact that she repeatedly stressed she did not mean her comments to be offensive for anyone. However, she adds, she plans to make of herself – and of her story of losing the crown of Miss USA for being honest, as she likes to put it – a parable for all young girls, who will thus learn that they need to stay true to themselves and not make compromises, no matter the price they pay.

As we noted earlier, the controversy began when blogger Perez Hilton asked Prejean on Miss USA over the weekend how she felt about same-gender marriages. She said she was raised to believe that only a man and a woman should wed, although she personally had nothing against things being otherwise. Nevertheless, her comments enraged many and might even have caused her to lose the crown, as Carrie sees it.

“It did cost me my crown. 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. It is a very touchy subject and I see where [Hilton] was coming from and I see the audience would’ve wanted me to be more politically correct. But I was raised in a way that you can never compromise your beliefs and your opinions for anything.” Prejean shared hours after the controversy got in the media.

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Marriage Comments Cost Miss California Her Miss USA Crown

Carrie Prejean stands by her belief that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

In a world where being politically correct amounts to everything, Miss California Carrie Prejean, a strong contender for the much-coveted title of Miss USA, committed the biggest faux pas in the history of beauty pageants by forgetting to be diplomatic. However, even if that cost her her crown, she is still convinced that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, especially when it refers to such a personal experience as marriage is, the beauty queen tells Us Weekly.

Miss USA judge Perez Hilton asked Carrie Prejean how she felt about same-gender marriages and whether they should be legalized. The beauty queen chose to be bluntly honest in her answer, thus, annoy many members of the audience, and especially Perez Hilton. “And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.” Prejean said.

Now, in the aftermath of the answer that made all the headlines, the beauty queen says that it was precisely her stance as regards marriage that cost her her crown. She’s not sorry, though, because she was raised to speak her mind and will never regret doing so. Moreover, she says, the beauty of living in America is that she gets to have her own ideas and voice them in a way that offends no one – which she is sure she did not.

“It did cost me my crown. 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. It is a very touchy subject and I see where [Hilton] was coming from and I see the audience would’ve wanted me to be more politically correct. But I was raised in a way that you can never compromise your beliefs and your opinions for anything.” Prejean says, as quoted by the mag.

“That’s what’s so great about being an American – we’re able to have our own opinions. I feel like I won. I feel like I’m the winner. I really do.” Prejean also says. Moreover, the beauty insists she would never feel ashamed by what she believes in, even if that comes to contradict whatever the others are saying, and this is an opinion she will hold on to no matter how much criticism she attracts in the media.

Perez Hilton, who partially started the entire controversy by asking Prejean the question, is also a celebrity blogger and open about his orientation, so one can imagine the kind of heat Miss California is now getting on the Internet. Even her relationship with swimmer Michael Phelps is reason for ridicule in some circles, several media outlets are pointing out, as also is her obstinacy at not saying she’s sorry for her “blunder.”

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Jenice Armstrong: Yo, judge, lighten up

WHO'S THE real bitch, I ask you?

The naive Miss USA beauty contestant who bungled the biggest question of her short life?

Or the mean-spirited, celebrity blogger who called her names?

After calling out Miss California on her not politically correct answer about gay marriage, Perez Hilton proceeded to bash her in the most denigrating terms for females in the entire English language. He not only referred to Carrie Prejean as a "stupid bitch" in a post-pageant video tirade, but in a MSNBC-TV interview during which he confessed he'd really been thinking of calling her the "c-word."

It's disgusting and appalling that a grown man who'd been hired to judge all those young women would then turn around and hurl such a mysogynistic insult.

Here's what got Hilton heated: During the interview portion of the Miss USA competition, he'd asked Prejean her views on gay marriage.

"You know what, in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman - no offense to anybody out there," she responded. "But that's how I was raised. And that's how I think that it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you."

Not the best answer.

She couldn't come up with a better justification than "that's how I was raised"?

Besides, Beauty Pageant 101 says that contestants don't have to answer a politically sensitive question at all. They should start by repeating the question to buy themselves time to think and then slide into something that hopefully will get the audience applauding wildly. Then they flash their pearly whites, say "thank you" and strut back to their position on stage.

But that's not how she handled it.

You could tell by Hilton's expression that he thought she'd blown it.

Prejean wound up as first runner-up. A has-been who almost was, but never made it. And if that wasn't bad enough, Hilton was about to take her on publicly.

Note to Perez: Tolerance works both ways.

Prejean has as much right to her opinion as Hilton.

Besides, beauty contestants are infamous for botching interviews. Remember the Miss Teen USA contestant who became a national laughingstock for her incoherent answer as to why it was that a fifth of Americans couldn't find the United States on a world map. "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and uh, I believe that our, I, education like such as, uh, South Africa, and uh, the Iraq . . . ," she said.

It can be a lot of pressure. I've been in a few pageants and also judged some myself, so I know it's not as easy as it looks. Unfortunately for Prejean, she stumbled miserably in the eyes of the openly gay Hilton. She paid the price for it, too.

But that's the game.

It might not be fair but that's how it's played.

As for Hilton, I don't know if he was serious, but afterwards, he said that if the 21-year-old had won, he would have snatched the crown off her head.

And done what with it? Put it on?

The way this particular Miss USA judge has conducted himself, it's clear he deserves no crown.

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Perez Hilton, Miss California, and the Feud That's Spreading Across the Internet

I am a firm believer in everyone getting their own opinion. When people disagree with me on my political beliefs, I deal with it. When people make fun of the Steelers (my major obsession in life), I turn it into a game. The point is, I get to believe one thing and you can believe another, but there is a celebrity blogger who thinks a person who doesn't agree with him is “a bitch.”

One of the components of a beauty pageant is the question and answer session. I suppose this is put in to prove that beauty goes beneath the surface of the skin or whatever. Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was asked a question by Perez Hilton, a judge who is openly gay. He asks her about gay marriage and if she thinks it should be legal or not.

She answers, “Well, I think its great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.”

Perez calls this “the worst answer in pageant history,” and adds that she’s “a bitch.” He apologizes for calling her a bitch, but after the apology Perez vents on his blog that he is just super upset by it. He then wants to talk to her over coffee. However, hours later, Perez retracts the apology and adds that he said “bitch,” but was thinking the C-word.

He wrote, “There is no right answer, but there could have been a much better answer! You can't alienate your audience, especially if you're competing for the title of MISS USA! You need to represent the people, not just YOUR beliefs.”

Represent the people? Perez, there’s a reason why only four states have made gay marriage legal. There’s also something to note: Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California, passed. Maybe it’s not your belief, but it’s at least some of the peoples’ belief.

Keith Lewis voiced his opinion on Hilton’s blog. “As co-executive director of Miss CA USA and one of the leaders of the Miss CA family, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss CA USA 2009 believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman.”

Here’s the real question: Why ask the question if you are only expecting one answer? What is she supposed to do, lie? It’s not how she was raised! It really bothers me that girls lose pageants for speaking their minds. Isn’t that we were taught to do in school? If Perez Hilton is so biased, he shouldn’t be a judge. It’s as simple as that.

Whether or not I agree with Carrie, it’s the principle of the thing: she gets her opinion. I congratulate her for standing by her opinion, even if that means she loses the crown. If it helps, I would have done the same thing.

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Sherri Hill's Dress Designs Take the Stage at Miss USA 2009

Eight of the Top Ten Miss USA 2009 finishers were wearing a Sherri Hill gown.

She's done it again. Yet another Miss USA winner was crowned in a Sherri Hill gown at the 2009 Miss USA pageant. Eight of the Top Ten finishers wearing a Sherri Hill design shared their moment of glory with millions of onlookers at this year's long-awaited beauty pageant held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19.

Hill's winning gown, worn by Miss USA 2009, Kristen Dalton of North Carolina, shimmered in the spotlight with light layers of fluttering, true blue silk. Hill's elegant, wrap around design that flows to the floor gave perfect poise to the new Miss USA 2009 as Dalton took her first walk as reigning royalty in Hill's design.

The top four finishers strutted the stage in Sherri Hill creations, proving Hill's fashion design abilities to be nothing less than the best. Beyond the winning Miss USA 2009 contestant, first runner up Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean, second runner up Miss Arizona USA, Alicia-Monique Blanco and third runner-up Miss Utah, Laura Chukanov, all chose Sherri Hill gowns.

But Hill's sweeping victory didn't stop there. Out of the remaining Top Ten finalists, four of five chose Hill as their prime dress designer, including Miss Tennessee USA, Kristen Motil, Miss Arkansas USA, Chanley Painter, Miss South Carolina USA, Stephanie Smith and Miss West Virginia USA, Jessi Pierson.

It's no surprise so many contestants chose Sherri Hill as their evening gown designer. With a queen-size closet full of pageant-winning dresses, Hill has dominated the pageant scene with gowns claiming crowns and placing on Top Ten lists nationwide, from 2007 Miss America winner, Jennifer Berry, to Miss USA, Rachel Smith. 2006 Miss USA and Miss America winners also wore Sherri Hill to capture their crowns.

Hill has stamped her style in vogue and proved her self to be one of the fashion world's notable figures. After a decade as chief designer for another evening wear company, Sherri Hill started her own fashion company in 2008 to show off her own flair for fashion -- the right move for an award-winning entrepreneur. With cutting edge gowns in styles daring enough for any diva, and lovely enough for any lady, Hill has the finest formal wear available to winning pageant contestants, prom dress shoppers and everyone in between.

Hill's devotion to design is evident in her selection of beautiful fabrics and trimmings combined with innovative combinations of cuts to accentuate the best features of every woman.

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US beauty contest turns ugly in gay row

A US beauty contest has turned ugly after a losing candidate accused judges of denying her victory because of her views on gay marriage.

When Miss California Carrie Prejean was asked a question on the subject she told TV viewers she believed that “a marriage should be between a man and a woman”.

The Miss USA runner-up now claims her comments cost her first place in the competition.

“It did cost me my crown,” said Ms Prejean.

The eventual winner was Kristen Dalton, Miss North Carolina.

Speaking after the televised show, Ms Prejean said: “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.”

Miss USA contestant Corrie Prejean says judges denied her the crown because she stated she doesn't believe in gay marriage.

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Miss USA contest in gay marriage controversy

The prestigious Miss USA contest turned ugly after a gay marriage question by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton sparked outrage from the audience and "ugly" fights outside.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton took out the crown, beating 50 other beauties in the pageant which was televised live from Las Vegas earlier today.

But runner-up Miss California Carrie Prejean garnered most of the attention after her answer to a question about legalising same sex marriage.

Gossip guru Hilton asked Ms Prejean: "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalise same-sex marriage … do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?" She replied: "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage."

"And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman.

"No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

Some of the audience cheered while others booed.

Others argued in the lobby, the Daily Telegraph reports.

"It's ugly," gay man Scott Ihrig was quoted as saying.

"I think it's ridiculous that she got first runner-up.

"That is not the value of 95 percent of the people in this audience.

"Look around this audience and tell me how many gay men there are."

Charmaine Koonce, the mother of Miss New Mexico USA Bianca Carla, disagreed, saying: "In the Bible it says marriage is between Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve."

It is the second time this month that the pageant has been hit with controversy after Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza posted a blog entry about a trip to Guantanamo Bay.

Ms Mendoza described the trip to the infamous prison as "aloooot of fun".

The blog entry was later pulled from the Miss USA website.

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Miss USA pageant: Gay marriage scandal over Miss California's comments

THE crowning of Miss USA has been hit with controversy after the runner up was booed for her answer to a question about legalising same-sex marriage.

Miss North Carolina USA Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA 2009 on Sunday, beating out 50 other beauty queens in the live pageant televised from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

But her runner up, Miss California Carrie Prejean, of San Diego, shocked the audience when she answered a question about legalising same-sex marriage. The tall blonde stumbled some before giving an answer that appeared to please the pageant audience.

Here her response here, which shocked onlookers.

"We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," Prejean said. "And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

Some in the audience cheered, others booed. The answer sparked a shouting match in the lobby after the show.

"It's ugly," said Scott Ihrig, a gay man, who attended the pageant with his partner. "I think it's ridiculous that she got first runner-up. That is not the value of 95 percent of the people in this audience. Look around this audience and tell me how many gay men there are."

Charmaine Koonce, the mother of Miss New Mexico USA Bianca Carla, argued back.

"In the Bible it says marriage is between Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve!"

The pageant had enjoyed a scandal-free year until earlier this month, when Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza was skewered for a blog posting from a trip to Guantanamo Bay. The entry described having "aloooot of fun" at a base that houses the notorious military prison; it was later deleted from the pageant's Web site.

The contest, which is owned by NBC and reality TV mogul Donald Trump, was hosted by "Access Hollywood" co-anchor Billy Bush and Nadine Velazquez of the NBC sitcom "My Name is Earl." This year's judges included "Saturday Night Live" cast member Kenan Thompson, "Dancing with the Stars" winner Kelly Monaco and gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

Miss Wyoming USA Cynthia Pate, of Casper, Wyo., was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Jessi Pierson, of Milton, W.Va., was voted Miss Photogenic through an online contest on the Miss Universe Web site.

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