I'm not a big pageant fan, however, pageant scandals get my attention. As many know by now, Miss America was crowned amidst controversy surrounding Miss California's answer to a question on gay marriage. Regardless of what side you are on, whether Christian or not, pro-gay, anti-gay, whatever, there is something amiss when an openly gay judge, Perez Hilton, asks an openly Christian contestant, Carrie Prejean, her thoughts on gay marriage. What did he expect her to say? Is she not entitled to any conviction? What's next, Democrat versus Republican, Mormon versus Jew, cat-lover versus dog-lover...?
I think the aftermath of this is most interesting. The judge (they are quality people, right?) calls Hilton a bitch, then retracts it, then reinstates it. Prejean, on the other hand, is as classy as they come. Never attacked the judge, but stood by her conviction. I have a new respect for the Miss America Pageant if the program produces quality contestants like Carrie Prejean. Watch the video (and others) below. You'll probably come to the same conclusion.
Hmm, next year a FSBO judge will be asking next year's real estate agent contestant her views on opening the MLS to the public. Since we all suck, we won't hold our breadth on that one. :)
Colleen- I am so proud of Carrie. She new she was being tested and knew in her head and in her heart that it was her turn to stand for God in all places at all times. This was her time. This was her biblical faith and her standing by her principles and then she shows the true love of Christ when she does not put Hilton down. She forgives him and moves on.
The best thing is the blessing that she has been blessed with. She wants to be a motivational speaker to help young people stand firm in their faith and their beliefs even if the rest of the world laugh and scorn. I think she just had that calling sanctioned by our wonderful Heavenly Father.
What a shining example! What a wonderful Christian! Katerina
I was shocked to see that all of the judges asked the contestants such controversial political questions. I've personally been a contestant of several pageants, and judged a few, and I've never witnessed such controversial questons. I think Miss California is very classy also, and PROPS to her for standing up for what she personally believes, even though she probably knew it could have swayed a judge or two from picking her as queen. She will be an awesome influence to all those who come into contact with her throughout her life, for sure!
April, Salt Lake City
I absolutely agree with you on this one. Whether you like her views or not, she was entitled to express it. Is the moral of the story that you should compromise your beliefs to win? Pander to the broadest audience? Maybe she is exactly what we need in this country - straight talking straight shooting business leaders and politicians.
Now imagine this - if she had been a supporter of gay marriage, would there be a outcry if she lost because of her support for gay marriage? You bet there would be. Perez Hilton is intellectually challenged if he can't express his views without saying "bitxx" or "cuxx" on national news programs.
If you watch the whole video clip, I love the Perez spin. It is hilarious... Perez says that Pejean should have kept politics out of the answer. Really? It seems that he injected politics and religion into the contest. He is mad only because he didn't get the answer that he wanted to hear.
Colleen,
I agree with everyone before me. Carrie and a strong character - good for her! I am personally tired of Perez and would prefer not to hear from him at all. He seems to be everywhere, even has a gossip segment on my favorite radio station :(
Thanks everyone for your great responses.
I wonder how the heck someone with an agenda becomes a judge in these pageants. You would think a person with an ax to grind would not be accepted on the panel of judges. :(
Never in recent memory have I seen such a loaded question. Why is that considered pertinent to a pageant contestant anyway?
If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything!!
Great Post Colleen!! You Rock Miss California!!
Outstanding post! I agree, and it amazes me that people that scream for protection under the 1st Ammendment to the US Constitution don't recognize that those protections are available to everyone, regardless of his or in this case her point of view! Why is it that those that preach tolerance are often the most intolerant if the opinion differs from their own. KUDOS to this fine young lady! Great post!
I wonder if Mr Hilton has the same opinion of President Obama who has the same position on gay marriage as Ms Prejean has? Does he also call the president a "dumb bitch" or something similar.
Carrie Prejean is a class act and Perez Hilton is not. In the end she will be blessed and come out on top.
WOW! What a double standard! I agree that Miss California should be applauded and they need a new judge! Talk about lack of composure to call her names on youtube.
Still waiting to see how the media blames this one on President Bush
Miss California you should hold your head high!! You are the much bigger person. Perez and all of his scum of earth buddy critics are nothing but low life scum!! I cant beleive what the Pageant has become and they allow him to go on his site whatever it was and talk like this, what a bunch of trash!! I wont even watch the Pageants anymore. You go girl you are the best for sticking with the true values of America in the long run you will be the one sitting on top of the world!! You have more support than you could ever imagine. Thank you for keeping the true values alive!
BRAVO to Carrie for standing by her principles. I saw a clip where he says she should have said that each state should adopt whatever policy they want. That's not the question he asked her. He's just another "pop culture celeb" trying to get his name in the news. Nothing new here. She blew him out of the water by sticking to her principles and he was PO'd big time. Way to go Carrie!
Why are we still having beauty contests? we should also be having beauty contest for men. Turn the TV off please.