“The question comes from judge number 8, Perez Hilton.
Are we worried?
You should be.

Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?

Well I think its great that Americans could choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same sex marriage or opposite marriage. And, 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, and no offense to anybody out there. But, that’s how I was raised and I think that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Thank you.”

Those were the words that ignited controversy around the world and renewed opinions on what can be asked during beauty pageants.

It’s simply the story that won’t go away… It all started with Miss California’s answer in the Miss USA pageant in April regarding gay marriage.

But for Carrie Prejean, the drama didn’t stop there.  Semi-nude photos surfaced on the Internet of the contestant during what she calls a professional modeling photo shoot.

On CBS’s Early Show, Prejean said she thought she lost the competition because of how celebrity judge, Perez Hilton graded her answer, and that the photos were released as backlash.
Here’s her view on it …

“You said yesterday you felt like you were being punished for it. How do you feel you were punished?
I do and it was obvious, even Mr. Trump said Mr. Hilton gave me a low score because of my answer and I was just expressing my freedom of speech…
I think that I was just put under the microscope for my answer and you know, they dug up into my past. There were some photos that were released when I was 17 years old. I’m a professional model, I model swimwear and lingerie, and so, it is what it is.” (CBS News)

The LA Times focuses on the fact that Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss USA pageant, is allowing Prejean to keep her Miss California title despite not disclosing the photos– a violation of pageant rules.

“Trump also said he reviewed semi-nude photos of Prejean that have surfaced in recent days and concluded they should not disqualify her. "We are in the 21st century," said Trump... "We have determined that the pictures taken were fine."” (The LA Times)

And now even “the Donald” has become a part of the criticism.  One Huffington Post blogger takes the perspective Trump pardoned the photos…simply because he enjoyed them so much.

“Donald Trump, who owns the Miss USA pageant, praised Ms. Prejean for her fearlessness in the face of harsh criticism, adding, "I like what I've seen of Carrie and I hope to see much more of her."” (The Huffington Post)

Finally – we have this from TwinCities.com. Picking up the point, the perspective and the question – should judges be asking anything besides generic questions like “do you want world peace?”

“It's bad enough that these young women look hot-house raised in some mad experimentation with beauty. Now they must all give the same correct answers to questions posed by such notable judges as Perez Hilton.” (TwinCities.com)