Shanna Moakler, co-director of the Miss California USA Organization, stepped down from her position today. The news come one day after Donald Trump and the Miss USA organization decided that Miss California, Carrie Prejean, could keep her crown and remain runner up for the Miss USA title after the release of scandalous pictures and other controversies.
According to PEOPLE.com, Moakler initially offered support to Prejean, 21, after controversy about Prejean's views on same-sex marriage and a topless photo were deemed acceptable behavior by Trump.
But on Wednesday, Moakler, who is a former Miss USA titleholder herself, issued a statement to the Miss USA Organization saying, "I cannot with a clear conscience move forward supporting and promoting the Miss Universe Organization when I no longer believe in it."
Moakler is also known for being the on-again, off-again wife of Blink-182's Travis Barker. The couple starred in the MTV reality series "Meet the Barkers."
Twitterers mostly supported Moakler's move, but some didn't agree:
PortugeeQn@sammystapley Shanna Moakler is freakin human...chillax she did what she had to do her heart wasnt in it anymore!!
shehaddiamondsShanna Moakler, former Miss USA, just earned my respect.
CookieMuffinProud of Shanna Moakler for standing up to bigots!
BellaPetite@animesnob Bad grrl Shanna Moakler's history incl. posing for playboy & other risky pics She's got no room 2 talk & never should rep Pageant
Per CNN, Miss California USA Carrie Prejean will keep her crown and continue as the first runner-up in this year's pageant. Despite a debate over posing in semi-nude photos, Donald Trump, owner of the pageant, agreed to let her remain in her current position, saying the photos do not violate her contract with the organization.
The decision came weeks after Prejean stirred up controversy by expressing her beliefs against same-sex marriage during the pageant. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton asked the same-sex marriage question and marked her down poorly for her response; it possibly cost her the crown.
Tweets popped up left and right, politically speaking, on Prejean and her views:
Supermanrod04Miss California had every right to say what she believed. And people who disagree with her had every right to criticize her. Free speech!
TinaDupuyMiss California is the worst kind of Christian hypocrite...the pretty kind that everyone pays attention to...
Alevs34Who cares if Miss California takes racy photos or has fake boobs. What matters is she's a bigot, homophobe: that's a horrible role model.
micaeleaMiss California can say whatever she wants. So can I. GO GAY MARRIAGE GO!
belmontchefOK! So glad Miss California gets to keep her title. I'm not conservative but we're supposed to respect each others' views! Congrats Carrie!
martynwaynmiss california needs to think about how happy 2 people in love can b, and stop tryin to spoil othr peoples happiness, its for them, not us
SterlingWbondi think Miss California had every right to express her feelings about gay marriage.
Lady_JennyJust watched Miss California's speech. Well spoken and I'm glad she gets to keep her crown.
The Tar Heel state can add another champion to its list. First UNC wins the NCAA tournament and now Miss North Carolina USA is crowned Miss USA 2009. The Associated Press reports Kristen Dalton, of Wilmington, beat out Miss California USA Carrie Prejean, of San Diego, second runner-up Miss Arizona USA Alicia-Monique Blanco, of Phoenix, and 49 other contestants to claim the crown.
The 21-year-old earns a year's use of a New York apartment, a public relations team, a two-year scholarship at the New York Film Academy and an undisclosed salary. Dalton will also head to the Bahamas to compete in the Miss Universe Pageant.
Twitter users are excited for Dalton:
hermansimThe girl in Blue takes the crown... yay Kristen Dalton of North Carolina. The underdog
heelsqtpieis really happy that Kristen Dalton has become the 2nd MISS NORTH CAROLINA to be become MISS USA. --- THAT'S TWO IN 4 YEARS
mszjoyciicongrats to kristen dalton from north carolina!!
Miss USA aired live on NBC from Las Vegas. Contestants were judged by their performance in swimsuit and evening gown modeling contests and answering questions onstage. The Miss USA pageant does not include a talent portion. Judges included Kelly Monaco, Perez Hilton and Holly Madison. The show was hosted by Billy Bush and Nadine Velazquez.
During the question and answer portion, Miss California USA stumbled through her response to a question about legalizing same-sex marriage, posed by Hilton. Prejean's response earned both cheers and boos from the audience. You can see her answer in the YouTube clip below.
Some Twitterers support Miss California in her beliefs:
tdunn24Why is Perez Hilton still cry'n over Carrie Prejean's response??? YOU GO GIRL!! Itz a free country and propz for be'n honest!!
ricktrevinoMiss California USA Carrie Prejean, of San Diego was attacked unfairly by Perez Hilton JUDGE...Christian values under attack. Tbone snds
HilaryKennedyI am supporting Carrie Prejean. Seems to me Perez Hilton is intolerant, not the other way around....
leahkaybarI support Miss California, Carrie Prejean!
Others were less than pleased with her response:
subratabanikmiss cali, carrie prejean, emerges from under a rock, undergoes plastic this & plastic that & yapps out the most puritanical bigoted answer
tdunn24Why is Perez Hilton still cry'n over Carrie Prejean's response??? YOU GO GIRL!! Itz a free country and propz for be'n honest!!
PortugeeQn @sammystapley Shanna Moakler is freakin human...chillax she did what she had to do her heart wasnt in it anymore!!
redsugar Haha. Sweet. Shanna Moakler resigns after learning Miss California will keep her crown http://tinyurl.com/p6hqbr
shehaddiamonds Shanna Moakler, former Miss USA, just earned my respect.
CookieMuffin Proud of Shanna Moakler for standing up to bigots!
BellaPetite @animesnob Bad grrl Shanna Moakler's history incl. posing for playboy & other risky pics She's got no room 2 talk & never should rep Pageant
