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?
Comments (1-30) of 881 Add your comment
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.
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…
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…
I wish the Prop. 8 opponents would just get over the fact that they lost. The election is OVER. If want gay marriage, you can move to CT, VT, MA or Iowa. Gay marraige will never become legal in all 50 states because about two dozen states already have a constititutional amendment on the books at lest not forget the federal Defense of Marriage Act which was passed a couple years ago.
People’s beliefs are often influenced by their upbringing as well as their religion. If this woman is ignorant because she does not support gay marriage then what is Obama’s excuse because he is a very well educated man who has lived all over. People have a variety of reasons for why they do not support gay marriage.
The media like EW are trying to make this viral in the desperate hope of another Miss South Carolina gem. This is not that train wreck, and at least she answered the question. HOWEVER — she was wrong. As a Canadian it never ceases to amaze me how all Americans are told and assume that America is the free-est most equal country in the world when it is demonstrably NOT the case. The U.S. does not grant equal civil rights to all its citizens, period.
Ms. California has every right to speak her mind with respect to her very personal beliefs. Too bad Perez Hilton showed very little class and professionalism when he bashed her and called her names on his blog. The guy is a joke!!
@wtfnyc
So you want your rights but want to take away hers. Hypocrite.
Im more liberal than conservative but that women is entitled to her opinion and its silly to try and make her look bad for it. She’s far from an anti gay marriage activist.
http://blog.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com/
I think the bigger issue at hand is her delivery, not her opinion. I have a friend who was in the pageant, and let it be known that not all beauty queens are idiots. They can be eloquent and well-informed. Miss California is entitled to her own opinion, and I do agree that the question was a double-edged sword.
However… she should have been more diplomatic. Does she not realize that she would not have gotten to where she is without the help of the gays? I’m sure many of the people who prepared her for the pageant were gay, since the pageant industry is practically run by the gay mafia. There were a hundred other ways she could have answered the question that would not have been offensive. If she had given a similar response about any other group of people, she wouldn’t have made first-runner up.
@Queen Bee: President Obama’s excuse is religion and “personal belief” NEITHER of which is valid in denying civil rights. The U.S. is *suppsoed* to separate Church and State. Even if we retain “marriage” as a religious service, there ARE many churches who will marry same sex couples so gay marriage will still exist. I love President Obama but his position on this is WRONG. It cannot be a state-by-state issue with no Federal equality, because then how do they allow you to file taxes. fill a census, apply for immigration? Federal equality is the ONLY free and equal solution.
I am glad to see some sense in our women today and not to take the easy political correct answer, it is ashame to see a Gay judge juding women anyway, should he not be judging men
Did you hear the big appluase she got after her answer, campared to the applause he/she got when he asked the question. Enough said.
For those of you who think Perez Hilton is some sort of savior I would suggest a quick look at his website for obscene drawings over pictures of celebrities, and commenters of most are either too young to be on the site or too lewd for a site with underage persons on. He’s no hero.
She could’ve been more diplomatic, and better spoken. She needs to learn to pause before answering, to formulate an answer! While I disagree with her opinion, she has her right to it. And at least she answered the damn question, unlike (Arizona? Utah?) who basically ignored her question and talked about integrity.
We’ve gone so PC that free speech is now only for the far left liberals and no one else. You will follow in step and not miss a beat or we will call you names and the “most important sodomite on the web” will yell at you. Uh-huh. Free speech? I guess it’s not for anyone who doesn’t agree with the b agenda.
att:wtfnyc
Obviously you are a part of the gay community and are entitled to your opinion, but so is she. you can’t find justification for your beliefs so trash hers. I love the maturity level. Pick a bible up.As for me and my house we believe in God and he is quite specific. this was not a right or wrong question, it is a what do you believe question. As far as the canadian contingent, so what? eh?
Who the hell is Perez Hilton anyway? Says the most powerful person on the internet? Really, because I’ve never read one word or been to any website of his.
Perez Hilton needs to read the history of this country before he starts commenting about the founders’ view of the roles of state and federal governents. The founders did not believe in shoving laws down the throats of citizens through the courts as has happenend in three out of four gay marriage rulings. This makes judges kings. Before he lectures Miss USA contestants, maybe he should lecture himself.