Say what you will about Perez Hilton and the Miss USA pageant, but when the two collided this weekend something went horribly right — for 59 seconds, anyway. Okay, really, only a fraction of the 59 seconds went right, but, hey, we’ll take what we can get. The glorious less-than-a-minute came when Miss California (coincidentally from the Prop 8 state itself) drew Hilton (who was on the judging panel) as her questioner in that part where they talk about allegedly socially relevant stuff like how pro-babies, puppies, and world peace they are. Hilton, known primarily for his ability to scrawl offensive things across paparazzi shots of celebs, suddenly morphed into a hardcore journalist and asked a gutsy, direct, genuinely relevant question: "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?" And, well, Miss Cali did no service to womankind — much less the gay marriage movement — with her stumbling answer, which started with: "I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other." (We are?) "We live in a land where we can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage." (We do?) She then goes on to say she chooses the latter — you know, "opposite marriage."
Check out the clip and then tell us: Did this turn you around on Perez? Or on opposite marriage, for that matter? Did this stumble help Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton win?
I’m totally ashamed that she representated my state! And that rightfully cost her the Miss USA title! Also, even if she doesn’t believe in gay marriage, I’m sure there are better ways to say it other than supporting opposite marriage.
why sugar coat it if you don’t agree? she was asked regarding same sex marriage and what her opinion was on it. she gave it. she supports opposite sex marriage. get over it. it’s her right just as it’s yours not to. I haven’t seen her tell you all to shut your mouths because you disagree. two year old brats, most of ya!
Opposite marraige? That’s thinking on your feet. Perez was a surprise–a good one. This whole Miss USA, universe, America–they’re from such a different time, I don’t know why anyone watches or cares. These women are not our ideals, if they ever were.
I applaud Miss California for practicing her right to free speech. I do not agree with her viewpoint, however, in a no-win situation for her, she showed integrity and bravery. She had to know her answer would most likely win her no fans, however, she was true to her beliefs. I found it refreshing!
It was not a well articulated answer at all. Opposite marriage? Other than that, it’s unfortunate that people still believe this. It’s unfair and cruel to strip away the rights of American citizens because of religious beliefs that everyone does not follow. However, I think Miss CA shouldn’t be persecuted for giving an answer, however unfortunate, she genuinely believed to be right and true. But I am glad that she is not Miss USA, no matter how trivial the title may be.
In a weird way I agree with Miss CA. I voted for Prop 8 like millions of other Californians and I do not think the state has any business in sanctioning gay marriage.
Let’s not forget that Miss California’s views are also shared by our new presdient and vice president. Obama DOES NOT support gay marriage even though he was against prop. 8 which I found odd.
Millions of Americans had no problem voting for Obama despite his stance against gay marriage which tells me that Ms. CA views are clearly the mainstream.
I’m always a fan of the “That’s just how I was raised” justification for ignorance/bigotry. Social progress and thinking for oneself are BAD!!! I also particularly enjoy the fact that she thinks “[her] country” and America are two different places. Would that that were true…
If Perez Hilton is what you call “social progress”…..oh man….’scuse me, but I can’t stop laughing yet!
She can’t have an opinion. So because it’s different from yours it’s ignorance?
Yeah, she certainly didn’t express herself very well, but I DO applaud her for speaking her (not-so-clear) opinion on being for male/female marriage.
Why aren’t we discussing the horrible, HORRIBLE skirting around an answer given by Miss Arizona I think it was, when asked about healthcare? It’s all about integrity no matter what side of the political spectrum you are on…what the? What is your ANSWER, lady? Talk about not taking a stand either way.
I’m not sure which is funnier or more pathetic – “opposite marriage” or passing off her intolerance as “that’s just how I was raised!” My grandmother thought it was fine to tell coon jokes at home – but thankfully my mother had the brains to tell me that it was wrong. THAT’S how I was raised!!!
This was a stupid question for this event and should of never been allowed to be asked. It is a NO WIN scenerio for anyone to answer, one way or another. But, I find it funny that Perez got punked by a Miss America contestant. Therefore he will try to bash her for at least the next year, making himself look more like an idiot then already is.
You know how I was raised? In America where people have the right to freedom of speech, whether we agree with them or not. You can’t yell and scream about people deserving equal rights and then complain when someone else exercises her right.
I didn’t care about the sentiment although I disagree because the point of that part of the competition is to be articulate…which is where she failed. I do find it mildly hilarious that she literally picked the WORST person to piss off. He was literally introduced as the most powerful person on the internet…
If you don’t want an honest answer, don’t ask an honest person. While ya’ll are ready to persecute this poor girl, f or having the integrity to stand by her beliefs, I am applauding her for not letting “political correctness” beat her into lying.As for the person who is embarrassed to have her represent their state, well the state represented the same attitude and beliefs when you voted on prop 8.
[quote]So because it’s different from yours it’s ignorance?[/quote] If the opinion is that not all humans/Americans/people from whatever “country” she lives deserve the same rights, and that belief is based solely on ‘that’s how I was raised’? You betcha.
uhhhh, asking a question you have probably weeks to prepare (and good for you perez, already memorized) does not make one a cutting edge journalist…i was actually more impressed, belive it or not, with her answer (aside from the getting to choose stuff…don’t think it came out quite the way she meant it). i may not agree with her response, but i think being able to stand up and say “this is how i was raised and this is what i believe” was just as good an answer as the prepared question that was given. let’s not going pattign the guy on the back who, yes, draws faces and stuff on pictures of celebrites…