California Pageant officials clear the air about Carrie Prejean

West Hollywood, California (Monday, July 13, 2009) - During a media blitz tour, making pit stops at each of the Miss California's sponsors, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss California, Miss Teen California, and a galaxy of forty beauty queens representing the towns and hamlets of the great state of California finally descended up their third sponsor, IP Imperial Planet in West Hollywood.

On the third and last leg of this media campaign championing the natural beauty with the great resources and style of California, Keith Lewis, Miss California USA's State Director; Tami Farrell, the current Miss California; and Miss USA pageant judge, Claudia Jordan; used this opportunity to clear the air about a former Miss California and second runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant, Carrie Prejean of Prop 8 and opposite-sex marriage fame.

All three agree this past year has been tumultuous one.

They want to use this opportunity to set the record straight in order for the organization to move forward onto strictly the business of beauty.

While Ms. Prejean's Miss California tenure was a fascinating ride, Keith Lewis is glad it is slowing down. Mr. Lewis was irritated and fatigued by Carrie Prejean's conduct regarding the issue of same-sex marriage and the media melee it caused.

Even if he was absolutely comfortable, at first, with Ms. Prejean's beliefs and supported her right to express them, Mr. Lewis wished she stopped when the questions ended and return to performing the duties of being a beauty queen.

Instead, Ms. Prejean stroked the flames of a media firestorm because she did not know when to quit and made everything worse.

People outside of the Miss California Organization pulled and pushed her, making her into an accidental figurehead championing traditional values and marriage. They were topics that are out bounds as a representative for the Miss California Organization.

The more she voiced her opinions, the more she neglected her work and responsibilities as Miss California. This made Mr. Lewis winced.

It reached a breaking point where both parties agreed it was their best interest to split. Miss Prejean can continue to champion conservative politics and values while Mr. Lewis and the Miss California USA organization can return to promoting the business of beauty.

They felt it was best to transfer the title to a young lady more deserving, Miss Malibu and former Miss Teen USA 2003, Tami Farrell.

In spite of the controversy it caused, Mr. Lewis acknowledged this rose awareness on social issues and the Miss California and the Miss USA system to a new level and audience.

It was a fire he seemed happy to put out.

The task of stepping into the shoes left vacant by Ms. Prejean was an interesting one for the current Miss California, Tami Farrell.

Even though she does not agree with the issue of same-sex marriage, Ms. Farrell firmly feels it is not her job to promote values or politics, "I'm not a politician."

"People are looking to us beauty queens to solve the world's problems. But, I'm a beauty queen. I want to work with charities I'm passionate about."

Both she and Mr. Lewis both feel it is best to focus their attention on aid organizations that she and the Miss California/Miss USA system are both excited about, directing the media attention into something positive.

Ms. Farrell, too, wants to push beyond Ms. Prejean reign.

For her, wearing the title of Miss California 2009 is a platform where one can achieve her or his dreams. A place so welcoming that a diversity of people can take advantage of multiple opportunities and reach their dreams like she did.

"I grew up on a farm. Now, I'm Miss California."

Not bad for a former tomboy from Oregon.

The person who offered an analytical insight into the Carrie Prejean debacle was an eyewitness to it, model, athlete, journalist, former Miss Rhode Island, and Miss USA judge, Claudia Jordan.

Insightful and sharp, Ms. Jordan explained what happened.

When fellow judge, Perez Hilton asked Mr. Prejean the question about same-sex marriage, she and the other judges flinched.

It was not the question itself that cause the controversy. That was to be expected. It was the way Ms. Prejean answered it. "Carrie wasn't as eloquent as the winner. She stumbled."

As a judge, Ms. Jordan knew that Prejean was running behind.

Ms. Jordan, as a former beauty queen and journalist, she was disturbed that Prejean did not do her homework as Miss California.

"Being Miss California... should be well-versed on that hot button issue during the election year. Should be better prepared. She stumbled."

When it comes to debates or just answering a question, Ms. Jordan advises that if you do not agree with an issue or someone else's opinion, you should be prepared and be ready to answer back.

Ms. Prejean failed to hit it "out of the park" when confronted with the same-sex marriage question.

This was when Ms. Jordan voted her second place which she admitted is still a good job.

As for Ms. Jordan, she believes everyone should have the same rights, especially if they pay taxes.

Simply stated, Ms. Prejean was not "smooth."

Once the facts have been stated and the beauty queens shopped and posed at IP Imperial Planet, the beauty queens and Mr. Lewis boarded their bus then drove off into the sunset, moving onto the next horizon.