For Miss California, first there was the gay marriage controversy. Then it was the breast implant flap. Now it’s the “semi-nude” photo imbroglio. And that last one could be the one that causes the Miss California pageant organizers to strip Carrie Prejean of her sash.
Keith Lewis, co-director of the Miss California USA pageant, said in a statement on Wednesday that he was “absolutely stunned” to learn there were four photos circulating on the Internet of Prejean in her underwear with no top. Apparently, he believed there was only one photo out there. All the photos were taken long before Prejean became Miss California, and they are apparently taken in the style of a Victoria Secret advertising spread.
“This completely changes things for us,” Lewis said. “Yesterday, we thought she had explained things accurately. We need to revisit this issue with her.”
On Wednesday, business magnate Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss USA pageant, told Los Angeles radio station KISSFM that he planned to review the racy pictures of Prejean and that a decision could come on Wednesday or Thursday on whether to take away her sash.
A spokeswoman for Prejean was not immediately available.
The emergence of racy photos has created problems for other beauty pageant winners, including former Miss America Vanessa Williams, who in 1984 relinquinshed the crown because organizers of the pageant were upset over erotic photos of her circulating at the time. Of course, that’s all a distant memory for Williams, whose career as a singer, model and actress has thrived, and who these days enjoys a starring role on ABC comedy “Ugly Betty”
Prejean, a Christian college student, has many fans, especially among supporters of traditional marriage who have praised her for rejecting gay marriage during the question-and-answer segment of the Miss USA pageant last month. The Miss California pageant organizers have made no secret of their disappointment in those remarks. And all the while, the controversy has pitted conservative Christians against gay rights advocates.
Could being stripped of the Miss California sash only help Prejean’s profile? The verdict awaits.
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I think Miss California has the right to express her opinions even if I don’t agree with her. She was asked a question and she answered it honestly. I don’t think the other things about her would have come out if she had answered differently. Aren’t the judges supposed to be objective? Have we lost the right to our opinion? To answer a question from the heart? I don’t agree with her but she has the right to give her answer, her way, if asked.
- Posted by idaWhat happened to freedom of speech? When did liberalism become synonymous with haters and bigots? Why did Prejean get asked that question when no one else was asked anything remotely controversial? If she had mumbled her response or answered factually incorrectly on some question of history or fact, that would have been one thing, but how can an opinion question be answered incorrectly? What were the judges qualifications (and why has that person not been villified for the vile attack on the contestant?) She just gave an honest answer.
- Posted by Kathryn“Mr Trump” this, “Mr Trump” that. That pageant is Trump’s own personal politically correct bordelo. And those women are a bunch of ass kissing trailor trash. “Can we talk”?
- Posted by carlo diciollaI guess you’re an expert Simon…like most people.
I agree with B Melrose. These girls put a lot of time, money and persistence into doing this and its easy to verbal tear them apart. Ask yourself, what have I accomplished that is similar to this?
Yeah, its just a beauty contest, but it still takes effort and motivation to go out there and do this. Most people don’t even go out on the dance floor at a social party because they’re afraid someone might see them and talk, point and laugh.
- Posted by bby_70She used her celebrity and her title to push a political agenda in a TV ad. She also broke the rules about the kind of photos she had out there. How does she still have the sacred sash exactly?
She’s just another anorexic chick with fake boobs. A long way from a true beauty.
- Posted by SimonThis situation has exploded into a monumental news event ! What truly amazes me is that no one came to Miss California’s defense in a public way. Her character has been maligned by some very public personalities, BUT, she has really stood alone in countering her critics. MOST public personalities have ignored responding to her attackers. Why ?
- Posted by TedWhile many people are trying to desperately dig up some “dirty laundry” on this young lady, Carrie Prejean, it seems like there is not much talk about the outrageous choice of the Miss USA Organizationa of selecting someone like Perez Hilton as a judge. Regardless of the political and moral values of these young ladies, I believe that these women and their families put in a lot of time, sacrifice, and money into becoming a Miss USA contestant. A lot is expected from them: beauty, brains, wisdom, independence etc etc. Yet all their hard work is judged by someone as inmature and foul as Perez Hilton??! Where is the logic in this? Don’t these ladies deserve better? Why is someone as foul-mouthed and inmature selected as a judge?!!
- Posted by B MelroseWhy should anyones views on gay marriage affect whether or not they win a beauty pageant? It was a loaded question and unfair. Who really cares what Miss USA believes about political issues.
It’s laughable that the same Hollywood Limo Liberals that rail about freedom of choice are now trying to undermine Miss California’s right to free speech. Such hypocrites. Never mind that she happens to reflect the views of the majority of the country….
Perez Hilton is a joke and it’s an embarassment that he’s even remotely relevant.
- Posted by CJShanna Moakler is a co-director for the Miss California pageant?!! She has a child out of wedlock and has posed nude for Playboy several times. And she is what little girls should look up??! while Carrie Prejean is vilified by the media for giving her honest opinion on marriage???!!! I thought these beauty queens were encouraged to represent the values of what an American woman should be by expressing her opinion. I can understand why Carrie has not made the so called appearances that are required by the pageant. They’ve sent her to the front lines of battle while stabbing her in the back. It’s clear to see who really runs Miss USA.
- Posted by LOLAI think that perez hilton should set him(her)self on fire…
- Posted by bby_70