Eugene Gologursky/Getty ImagesCarrie Prejean just ran out of second chances.
The embattled Miss California, a controversy-magnet for her outspoken opposition to gay marriage, has been forced to turn over her tiara after ticking off Donald Trump one time too many.
In a just-released statement, Trump and the Miss California USA Organization say that Prejean has been fired for violating her contract—specifically for lending her famous face to outside organizations without getting permission from her handlers.
"I told Carrie she needed to get back to work and honor her contract with the Miss California USA Organization, and I gave her the opportunity to do so," said Trump. "Unfortunately, it just doesn’t look like it is going to happen.
"Carrie is a beautiful young woman and I wish her well as she pursues her other interests."
But Prejean apparently believes she sealed her fate when she answered that fateful question weeks ago.
"It is just because of my answer I think," she tells Access Hollywood. "None of this would be happening right now if I had just said,'Yeah gays should get married.' "
But Prejean's ouster ultimately came as a surprise to the leggy beauty queen.
"I was just talking to my lawyer," she recalled, "and I just got a phone call from you and I've gotten some text messages saying 'Hey, is this really true?' and I said, 'True about what?' and they said, 'That you've been fired.' And I started to laugh because everyone's been cooperating and everyone's been getting along so well."
"This is the first that I've heard of it. This is funny to me. I have no idea what's going on."
Miss California officials insist the move had nothing to do with her stance on same-sex marriage or racy photos that surfaced weeks ago.
"This was a decision based solely on contract violations, including Ms. Prejean's unwillingness to make appearances on behalf of the Miss California USA organization," said Miss California USA Executive Director Keith Lewis.
"After our press conference in New York, we had hoped we would be able to forge a better working relationship. However, since that time it has become abundantly clear that Carrie is unwilling to fulfill her obligations under our contract and work together."
Last month, Trump called a summit of Prejean and the Miss California pagaent people and announced that the beleaguered beauty would retain her title. She, in turn, promised to toe the line, saying, "I am not an activist, nor do I have a personal agenda."
Afterward, one of Prejean's fiercest critics and former Miss USA Shanna Moakler stepped down from the Miss California Organization. "It's obvious to everybody that the lying is still going on," Moakler said. "I just couldn't stand behind her."
Today, after learning of Prejean's termination, Moakler said she felt vindicated.
"First and foremost, my faith has been restored in the Miss Universe Organization and with Donald Trump. I believed eventually what I intimately knew would come to fruition," the model-actress said in a statement.
Runner-up Tami Farrell will now assume the Miss California USA title and take over all of Prejean's responsibilities, including appearance requests.
(Originally published June 10, 2009, at 12:15 p.m. PT)
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