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===="Sex Tape"==== ===="Sex Tape"====
CNN subsequently reported that Prejean' settlement with Miss California USA officials was driven by the discovery of a "sex tape" featuring Prejean.<ref name=sextape>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/11/04/miss.california.usa.settlement/index.html|title=Source: Carrie Prejean 'sex tape' spurred pageant settlement|date=November 4, 2009|accessdate=November 9, 2009|author=Alan Duke|publisher=CNN.com}}</ref> Prejean appeared alone in the tape, which was described as "too racy" for posting on a celebrity gossip site.<ref name=sextape/> Prejean has said that the tape was created when she was 17 years-old. Douglas A. Berman, William B. Saxbe Designated Professor at the Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University has written that he is confident that Ms. Prejean "could be technically subject to the five-year minimum under 18 USC 2252(a)(2) for distributing material involving the sexual exploitation of minors." under U.S. federal laws relating to the production and distribution of "child porn".<ref name=Child Porn?>{{cite news|url=http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2009/11/is-carrie-prejean-technically-subject-to-5year-mandatory-minimum-federal-sentence-for-distributing-c.html|title=Is Carrie Prejean technically subject to 5-year mandatory minimum federal sentence for distributing child porn?|date=November 10, 2009|accessdate=November 10, 2009|author=Douglas A. Berman|publisher=Sentencing Law and Policy}}</ref> CNN subsequently reported that Prejean' settlement with Miss California USA officials was driven by the discovery of a "sex tape" featuring Prejean.<ref name=sextape>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/11/04/miss.california.usa.settlement/index.html|title=Source: Carrie Prejean 'sex tape' spurred pageant settlement|date=November 4, 2009|accessdate=November 9, 2009|author=Alan Duke|publisher=CNN.com}}</ref> Prejean appeared alone in the tape, which was described as "too racy" for posting on a celebrity gossip site.<ref name=sextape/> Prejean has said that the tape was created when she was 17, and some reports have noted that teens have been prosecuted as sex offenders for sending such tapes.<ref name=dramatoday>{{cite news|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33823079/ns/today-today_people|title=Carrie Prejean: ‘I was not having sex’ in video|date=November 10, 2009|accessdate=November 11, 2009|author=Mike Celizic |publisher='']''}}</ref><ref name=Child Porn?>{{cite news|url=http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2009/11/is-carrie-prejean-technically-subject-to-5year-mandatory-minimum-federal-sentence-for-distributing-c.html|title=Is Carrie Prejean technically subject to 5-year mandatory minimum federal sentence for distributing child porn?|date=November 10, 2009|accessdate=November 10, 2009|author=Douglas A. Berman|publisher=Sentencing Law and Policy}}</ref>


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 14:53, 11 November 2009

Template:Pageant titleholder bio

Caroline Michelle "Carrie" Prejean (born May 13, 1987) is an American model and former beauty queen from Vista, California. She held the title of Miss California USA 2009, and placed first runner up in the Miss USA 2009 pageant. She gained nationwide attention over her answer to a question about same-sex marriage. She was eventually dethroned on June 10, 2009, with the producers of the Miss California USA pageant citing continued alleged breach of contract issues as the reason. Prejean calls those claims false, and has filed a libel suit alleging that she has been discriminated against due to her religious views.

Prejean has appeared as a model for Target, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom. She has also appeared in Bliss magazine, as a model for E!: Entertainment Television, at the 81st Academy Awards as the pivot girl, and in an interactive model search competition for the NBC game show Deal or No Deal. Prejean also works as an ambassador for the San Diego Padres as a member of the Pad Squad from 2006 to present.

Personal life

Prejean was born in San Diego, California to Francine Coppola and William Prejean. She was raised in an evangelical Christian household in Vista, California. Prejean's parents divorced in 1988. A custody battle went on for more than a decade.

Prejean graduated in 2005 from Vista High School. She is currently a senior at San Diego Christian College, a small, evangelical liberal arts college located in El Cajon, California, and attends The Rock Church, where she volunteers with their outreach ministries. Prejean also volunteers with Luv-em-Up Ministries in El Cajon, where she works with children with developmental disabilities. Prejean is studying to become a special education teacher and also volunteers for Best Buddies, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities, and for the Special Olympics.

Pageants

In 2005, Prejean competed in the Miss California Teen USA pageant and placed first runner-up to Stephanie Brink. In 2007, she competed in the Miss California USA 2008 pageant and initially placed third runner-up; later a judging error was discovered and she was promoted to first runner-up.

Prejean returned the following year and won the Miss California USA 2009 title, succeeding Raquel Beezley as California's representative to the Miss USA pageant. Prejean competed at the nationally televised Miss USA 2009 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2009, and placed first runner-up. Prejean's answer to her final question during the pageant became the subject of controversy.

Miss USA 2009 controversy

Main article: Miss USA 2009 controversy

Prejean attracted nationwide attention with her response to a question about same-sex marriage during the 2009 Miss USA pageant. Prejean was asked by pageant judge Perez Hilton whether she believed every U.S. state should legalize same-sex marriage. She responded,

Well I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. You know what, in my country, in my family, I think I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that’s how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman.

The media attention intensified after Hilton posted a video blog on his website, where he called Prejean a "dumb bitch" and said her answer was the worst in pageant history. "She gave an awful, awful answer that alienated so many people." He also told ABC News that she lost the crown because of how she answered the question. adding that "There are various other ways she could have answered that question and still stayed true to herself without alienating millions of people." Prejean has also stated that she believes that her answer cost her the crown.

Prejean stated that she was told by Miss California USA pageant officials that she "need to not talk about" her faith and was pressured to apologize for her statement.

Donald Trump, who owns most of the Miss Universe Organization, defended Prejean's answer, saying that "Miss California has done a wonderful job" and that "It wasn't a bad answer, that was simply her belief." He then added that the question was "a bit unlucky" and that no matter which way she answered the question "she was going to get killed". Several elected officials, including Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco and a prominent supporter of same-sex marriage, and political pundits criticized Hilton and defended Prejean for honestly stating her personal beliefs.

On June 15, 2009, the Empowering Spirits Foundation, a national LGBT civil rights organization issued a press release asking for the LGBT community to "move forward and engage in respectful dialogue." A. Latham Staples, the foundation's executive director, was quoted as saying, "Demeaning Carrie Prejean or others by using terms such as bigot will not advance our cause of civil rights and social justice. The LGBT community must use this period of heightened attention on LGBT issues by engaging others in positive ways.” Staples went on to wish Prejean "much success in her future endeavors."

Post-Miss USA Pageant

Events

Following the pageant, Prejean appeared in a television advertisement opposing same-sex marriage for the National Organization for Marriage, which had contacted her shortly after the pageant. She also hired a Christian public relations firm. In late April, Prejean presented an award at the Gospel Music Association's 2009 Dove Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. Prejean also spoke at Liberty University's final convocation of the year on April 29, 2009.

On May 1, Prejean stated on On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren that she did not have an opinion on civil unions for same-sex couples, but that she supports certain rights of same-sex couples, such as hospital visitations. She has stated that she would be willing to meet with representatives from California's largest gay rights group "as long as it's not political".

Photograph controversy and crown retention

On May 4, 2009, a photograph of Prejean partially nude with her back turned to the camera appeared on a celebrity gossip blog, leading to the directors of the Miss California USA pageant investigating Prejean for potentially violating a contract clause against prospective pageant candidates having been photographed "nude or partially nude". Prejean stated on May 5 that she had posed for the shot as a seventeen-year-old and objected to its release, saying,

I am a Christian, and I am a model. Models pose for pictures, including lingerie and swimwear photos. Recently, photos taken of me as a teenager have been released surreptitiously to a tabloid Web site that openly mocks me for my Christian faith. I am not perfect, and I will never claim to be.

She has also stated that she was "naive, and young" at the time of the photography and regrets having made the decision.

National Organization for Marriage president Maggie Gallagher stated on May 5 that the release would not affect Prejean's role with her group. She commented that "On a personal note, as a former unwed mother, I want to say to Americans: you don't have to be a perfect person to have the right to stand up for marriage." Alicia Jacobs, a local reporter for KVBC in Las Vegas who served as a judge at the Miss USA pageant, has stated that the pictures "go beyond what the Miss California pageant says are appropriate," and do not befit Prejean's status.

Following the release of her semi-nude photos, the pageant administration announced it would discuss whether or not Prejean should retain the Miss California USA crown. On May 12, the Miss USA owner, Donald Trump, announced that Prejean would retain the crown. In his remarks he said that "We are in the 21st century. We have determined the pictures taken are fine" and that "in some cases the pictures were lovely." Concerning her opinion on same sex marriage, Trump stated: "It's the same answer that the President of the United States gave. She gave an honorable answer. She gave an answer from her heart." On May 27, 2009, while acting as a one day guest host on Fox & Friends, Prejean echoed Trump's statement, equating her position on same sex marriage with that of President Barack Obama, the majority of California voters, and the California Supreme Court.

Termination of contract and lawsuits

K2 Productions, which produces the Miss California USA pageant, terminated Prejean's contract on June 10, 2009, which was approved by Trump, citing "continued breach of contract issues". Prejean stated that K2 Productions wanted her to pose for Playboy and appear on the reality television show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here!. Keith Lewis, the executive director of K2 Productions, stated that Prejean had requested to be notified of all offers for appearances. In August, 2009, Prejean sued Miss California USA officials on a variety of civil grounds, including libel and the unauthorized release of private medical records. K2 Productions and pageant officials deny the charges and have filed counterclaims seeking the profits from Prejean's forthcoming book, which it claims was written in violation of the Miss California USA contract, and the return of $5200 loaned to Prejean for breast implants. On November 3, 2009, Prejean and K2 announced a settlement with undisclosed terms, with both sides dropping their lawsuits.

"Sex Tape"

CNN subsequently reported that Prejean' settlement with Miss California USA officials was driven by the discovery of a "sex tape" featuring Prejean. Prejean appeared alone in the tape, which was described as "too racy" for posting on a celebrity gossip site. Prejean has said that the tape was created when she was 17, and some reports have noted that teens have been prosecuted as sex offenders for sending such tapes.

References

  1. Date of birth found on the California Birth Index 1905-1995, under PREJEAN, CAROLINE MICHELLE, on 13 May 1987 in San Diego County.
  2. ^ McKay, Hollie (2009-06-10). "Exclusive: Miss California Carrie Prejean to Lose Her Crown". FOX News. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  3. "Former Miss California USA sues pageant officials". CNN.com. August 31, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
  4. Gaslamp Ball (2008-05-16). "Gaslamp Ball Interview: Pad Squad Carrie". GaslampBall.com. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  5. Court docs: Miss California USA Carrie Prejean's parents used homosexuality as an insult. NY Daily News. Published May 7, 2009. Accessed May 12, 2009.
  6. 48 Hrs Inside the Controversy: A First Hand Look. The Rock Church press release. Published April 23, 2009. Accessed May 8, 2009.
  7. ^ "Carrie Prejean says she was asked to apologize for gay marriage comments, but refused". New York Daily News. April 27, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. "Timeline of the Carrie Prejean Controversy". Fox News. May 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  9. "Here she is, Miss Marriage Martyr USA". Salon.com. April 21, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  10. Christopher Goodwin in Los Angeles (25 April 2009). "California beauty queen Carrie Prejean becomes Republican hero". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  11. LUCHINA FISHER (April 20, 2009). "Perez Hilton 'Floored' by Miss California". ABC News. Retrieved 2009-05-29. Hilton called Prejean "a dumb b----."
  12. "Gay marriage row at Miss USA show". BBC News. April 20, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  13. Perez Hilton (2009-04-20). "Re: Miss California's Answer to my question at Miss USA". PerezHilton.com. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  14. "Carrie Prejean Says Answer to Gay Marriage Question Cost Her Miss USA Crown". FoxNews.com. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  15. "Miss California sparks outrage over gay marriage remarks". Christian Science Monitor. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
  16. "Exclusive: Donald Trump Breaks Silence on Miss California's Gay Marriage Comments". FoxNews.com. 2009-04-24. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  17. U.S. News & World Report - "Miss California, Carrie Prejean, Signs With Top Christian Publicity Firm"
  18. "Political Grapevine" segment of Special Report with Bret Baier, Fox News, August 24, 2009 (Miss California Continues to Grab Headlines)
  19. Newsom Defends Miss California. NBC News. Published April 23, 2009.
  20. "ESF Statement to the LGBT Community in Defense of Carrie Prejean" (PDF). Empowering Spirits Foundation Press Release. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
  21. "ESF Statement to the LGBT Community in Defense of Carrie Prejean". Wire Service. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
  22. New ad warns same-sex marriage activists want to silence opposition
  23. ^ Miss USA 1st Runner-up Carrie Prejean Goes 'On the Record' On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren. Published May 1, 2009.
  24. U.S. News & World Report - "Miss California, Carrie Prejean, Signs With Top Christian Publicity Firm"
  25. "A Carrie Prejean moment at Liberty University". Liberty University. May 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-17. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ Leff, Lisa (May 5, 2009). "California pageant eyes Prejean for contract violations". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved May 5, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. Miller, Korin (May 7, 2009). "Miss California Miss USA Carrie Prejean may lose her title over little white lie, nudie pics". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 7, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. Celizic, Mike (May 5, 2009). "Miss California: I'll fight on despite racy photos". msnbc.com. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  29. Franklin, Marcus (5/12/2009). "Trump says Miss California USA can retain crown". Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-05-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. "Miss California Carrie Prejean Hosts Fox & Friends: How Did It Go?". MediaBistro. May 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  31. "Former Miss California USA sues pageant officials". CNN.com. August 31, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
  32. Alan Duke (October 20, 2009). "Miss California USA sued over breast implant money". CNN.com. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  33. Alan Duke (November 3, 2009). "Prejean settles lawsuits with Miss California USA pageant". CNN.com. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  34. ^ Alan Duke (November 4, 2009). "Source: Carrie Prejean 'sex tape' spurred pageant settlement". CNN.com. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  35. Mike Celizic (November 10, 2009). "Carrie Prejean: 'I was not having sex' in video". Today/MSNBC. Retrieved November 11, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. Douglas A. Berman (November 10, 2009). "Is Carrie Prejean technically subject to 5-year mandatory minimum federal sentence for distributing child porn?". Sentencing Law and Policy. Retrieved November 10, 2009.

External links

Honorary titles
Preceded byRaquel Beezley Miss California USA
2009 		Succeeded byTami Farrell
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