Donald Trump to Miss California: You're Fired!
Carrie Prejean, who made controversial comments about gay marriage, was Miss USA runner-up until Wednesday
By ERIC S. PAGE
Updated 2:43 PM PST, Wed, Jun 10, 2009
Pageant officials stripped Carrie Prejean of her title Wednesday.
"This was a decision based solely on contract violations, including Ms. Prejean’s unwillingness to make appearances on behalf of the Miss California USA organization,” stated Miss Califronia USA director Keith Lewis. “After our press conference in New York, we had hoped we would be able to forge a better working relationship. However, since that time it has become abundantly clear that Carrie is unwilling to fulfill her obligations under our contract and work together.”
Prejean created controversy during the Miss USA competition, where she was first runner-up, when she answered judge Perez Hilton's question about gay marriage by saying marriage should be reserved for men and women.
Wednesday's move came with the blessing of Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe organization, according to pageant officials.
“I told Carrie she needed to get back to work and honor her contract with the Miss California USA Organization, and I gave her the opportunity to do so,” Trump said in a news release issued by the Miss California USA organization. “Unfortunately, it just doesn’t look like it is going to happen, and I offered Keith my full support in making this decision. Carrie is a beautiful young woman, and I wish her well as she pursues her other interests.”
Prejean got in more hot water after the Miss USA pageant upon the publication of some racy photographs. At the time, Trump said he wouldn't strip the blonde bombshell of her title because she failed to mention she posed in underwear, and he also defended the beauty queen's answer to the question posed to her on gay marriage during the pageant.
Prejean is a Vista native who entered the Miss California USA pageant as a contestant from La Jolla. Since the Miss USA pageant, she has appeared numerous times on television, including doing a morning stint on a local news broadcast.
Efforts to declare June 1 "Carrie Prejean Day" in Vista bitterly divided that city. Hundred of locals descended upon a Vista elementary school in May to debate whether the school board should publicly honor Prejean. The board discussed the proposal, which was initiated by trustee Jim Gibson -- but it needed a second motion before the entire board could vote on it. No other member would second it.
Trustee Elizabeth Jaka remarked at the time, "I'm not sure I'm ready to recognize somebody for expressing an opinion."
Tami Farrell, the Miss California runner-up from Malibu, is the new Miss California.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC San Diego
First Published: Jun 10, 2009 12:14 PM PST
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