Carrie Prejean
Carrie Prejean, winner of Miss California USA 2009.
Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean
Born
Caroline Michelle Prejean

1987 (age 38–39)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Spouse
Kyle Boller
​
(m. 2010)​
Children 2
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title Miss California USA 2009
Hair color Blonde
Eye color Green
Major
competition(s)		 Miss USA 2009
(1st runner-up)

Caroline Michelle Prejean Boller (née Prejean; /preɪˈʒɑːn/; born 1987) is an American model, former Miss California USA 2009, and Miss USA 2009 first runner-up. Prejean was stripped of her Miss California USA crown for alleged breaches of contract. Litigation between Prejean and the Miss California USA organization was settled in November 2009. Later that month, Prejean released a book relating events from her point of view.

Early life

Prejean was born in San Diego, California, to Francine (Coppola) and Wilbert Prejean.[1] She was raised in an evangelical household in Vista, California. In 1996, Prejean's parents separated and started divorce proceedings; Prejean considered the divorce a "trauma that irrevocably shaped the rest of my life".[2] The divorce was a bitter one with accusations of poor behavior and homosexuality on both sides, and custody proceedings lasted an entire decade, by which time Prejean and her sister were already grown up.[3]

Prejean graduated in 2005 from Vista High School. She studied at San Diego Christian College, an evangelical private school, and attended the Rock Church, where she volunteered with their outreach ministries.[4] She studied to become a special education teacher.[1]

Beauty pageants

In 2007, she competed in the Miss California USA 2008 beauty pageant and was first runner-up.[citation needed]

Prejean returned the following year and won the Miss California USA 2009 title, succeeding Raquel Beezley as California's representative to the Miss USA pageant. Prejean competed at the nationally televised Miss USA 2009 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2009, and placed first runner-up. Prejean's answer to her final question during the pageant became the subject of controversy.[5]

Miss USA 2009

Main article: Miss USA 2009 controversy

Prejean received nationwide attention over her response to a question about same-sex marriage during the 2009 Miss USA pageant.[6] Prejean was asked by pageant judge Perez Hilton[6] whether she believed every U.S. state should legalize same-sex marriage. She responded:

Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And, you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that, I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman.[7][8][9][10]

The media attention intensified after Hilton added a video blog post to his website, and made comments there and elsewhere, disparaging Prejean and her answer to the question.[11] Hilton stated: "She gave an awful, awful answer that alienated so many people." He also told ABC News that she lost the crown because of how she answered the question.[5] Prejean has also stated that she believes that her answer cost her the crown.[12][13] Of that moment, Prejean wrote:

I was being dared—in front of the entire world—to give a candid answer to a serious question. I knew if I told the truth, I would lose all that I was competing for: the crown, the luxury apartment in New York City, the large salary—everything that went with the Miss USA title. I also knew, or suspected, that I was the frontrunner, and if I gritted my teeth and gave the politically correct answer, I could be Miss USA.[14]

Prejean stated that she was told by Miss California USA pageant officials that she "need[ed] to not talk about" her faith and was pressured to apologize for her statement.[7]

Donald Trump, who owned most of the Miss Universe Organization, defended Prejean's answer, saying that "Miss California has done a wonderful job" and that "It wasn't a bad answer. That was simply her belief." He then added that the question was "a bit unlucky" and that no matter which way she answered the question "she was going to get killed".[15] Several elected officials, and political pundits criticized Hilton and defended Prejean for honestly stating her personal beliefs.[16][17][18] In November, 2009, The New York Times opinion columnist Frank Bruni said her beliefs are representative of mainstream U.S. opinion on the issue, stating "while a majority of Americans believe that gay couples should be able to enter into unions with some of the legal protections of marriage," only "a minority believe that gays and lesbians should be permitted to 'marry,' per se."[19]

Post-Miss USA Pageant

The National Organization for Marriage used footage from the pageant for a television advertisement that warned that same-sex marriage activists wanted to silence opposition.[20] Prejean hired a Christian public relations firm.[16]

On May 1, 2009, Prejean stated on On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren that she did not have an opinion on civil unions for same-sex couples, but that she supports certain rights of same-sex couples, such as hospital visitations.[21] She has stated that she would be willing to meet with representatives from California's largest gay rights group "as long as it's not political".[7]

Contract termination

Pageant organizers investigated Prejean for violating the terms of her contract after a photograph of Prejean partially nude with her back turned to the camera appeared on a celebrity gossip blog. Prejean defended the shots as legitimate modeling but also claimed that the photographer was at fault because he continued to shoot her while the wind blew open her vest.[22][23][24] Miss USA owner Donald Trump agreed, stating, "We are in the 21st century. We have determined the pictures taken are fine" and that "in some cases the pictures were lovely."[25] Trump went on to compare Prejean's views on same sex-marriage as being in line with those of President Barack Obama,[26] and National Organization for Marriage president Maggie Gallagher stated on May 5 that the release would not affect Prejean's role with her group.[23]

Despite his initial support, Trump agreed to terminate Prejean's contract on June 10, 2009, citing "continued breach of contract issues".[27] Prejean claimed that K2 Productions, producers of the Miss California USA pageant, wanted her to pose for Playboy and appear on the reality television show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here!, though K2 Productions executive Keith Lewis claimed he was simply notifying Prejean of all offers for appearances.[27]

In August 2009, Prejean sued Miss California USA officials on a variety of civil grounds, including libel, slander, religious discrimination, and the unauthorized release of private medical records.[28] K2 Productions and pageant officials filed counterclaims seeking the profits from Prejean's forthcoming book, which it claimed was written in violation of the Miss California USA contract, and the return of $5,200 loaned to Prejean for breast implants.[29] On November 3, 2009, Prejean and K2 announced a settlement with undisclosed terms, with both sides dropping their lawsuits.[30] CNN reported that Prejean's settlement with Miss California USA officials was prompted by the revelation of a sex tape; the homemade video was made when Prejean was 17 years old.[31][32] TMZ reported that K2 agreed to pay $100,000 towards Prejean's legal bills, which did not cover them entirely, and that Prejean received no money from the settlement.[33][34]

Writing

In November 2009, Prejean released a memoir titled Still Standing: The Untold Story of My Fight Against Gossip, Hate, and Political Attacks through conservative publisher Regnery Publishing.[35] The book explores what Prejean believes were unfair attacks by those in the media that leaned left and what she characterized as "a vindictive smear campaign" from Hollywood, while also focusing on her conservative values.[36] In an incident that occurred while promoting the book, Prejean left the set during an interview on Larry King Live, after King asked her why she settled her lawsuit with the Miss California USA pageant, calling the host "inappropriate".[37][38]

Personal life

On July 2, 2010, Prejean married former NFL quarterback Kyle Boller[39] in San Diego, California.[40] They have two children.[41][42]

On Easter Vigil in 2025, Prejean was confirmed into the Catholic Church.[43]

Political activity

In 2020, she became an official member of the Donald Trump Campaign Advisory Board and represented the Women for Trump 2020 Coalition. She appeared on Fox News to promote Trump and conservative values.[44]

In late August 2021, Prejean spoke at an Encinitas, California, school board meeting, announcing her plan to campaign against some of the school board members when they ran for reelection. She decried the mandatory masking at schools that was taking place in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, stated that she would unmask her children, and that the pandemic was over.[45][46]

In 2022, she argued on Fox News that a local school board Halloween event that had a drag queen was a front for child grooming. She stated "Every single one of these board members, we called them out for exactly who they are. They're groomers."[47]

In May 2025, Prejean was appointed as a commissioner on the Religious Liberty Commission by President Donald Trump.[48] In February 2026, commission Chairman Dan Patrick announced that he had removed her from the Religious Liberty Commission, stating that she had "hijack[ed] a hearing on antisemitism for [her] own personal and political agenda."[49][50] The removal came after some of Prejean's comments while questioning witnesses about the differences between anti-Zionism and antisemitism during a commission hearing on antisemitism earlier that week had sparked controversy. Prejean questioned Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, saying, "Catholics do not embrace Zionism, just so you know. So are all Catholics antisemites?" and asked the witnesses, who were testifying about their experiences with antisemitism on college campuses after the October 7 attacks, "are you willing to condemn what Israel has done in Gaza?"[51] During the hearing, Prejean defended Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson from charges of antisemitism. When asked by journalist Yair Rosenberg about antisemitic conspiracy theories promoted by Owens, including claims that Jews were responsible for the American Civil War and the Atlantic slave trade, Prejean said "I watched her show, and I have never heard anything out of her mouth that is anti-Semitic. So I'm not gonna make a statement on something that I haven't heard the full context of."[52][53]

References

  1. ^ a b "Miss California USA: Official Website: Celebrating the Beauty of California". Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2009.
  2. ^ Miller, Tracy (May 7, 2009). "Court docs: Miss California USA Carrie Prejean's parents used homosexuality as an insult". New York Daily News. New York City: Tronc. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  3. ^ "Carrie Prejean -- The Origin of Homophobia". TMZ. May 7, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  4. ^ "Christian college student is Miss USA first-runner up". Christian Examiner. Los Angeles, California: Christian Examiner Newspapers. May 2009. Archived from the original on December 25, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "Gay marriage row at Miss USA show". BBC News. April 20, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  6. ^ a b Marisa Taylor (April 22, 2009). "Perez Hilton and Miss USA Contestant Debate Gay Marriage". The Wall Street Journal.
  7. ^ a b c "Carrie Prejean says she was asked to apologize for gay marriage comments, but refused". New York Daily News. New York City: Tronc. Associated Press. April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  8. ^ "Timeline of the Carrie Prejean Controversy". Fox News. May 11, 2009. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  9. ^ Goodwin, Christopher (April 21, 2009). "Here she is, Miss Marriage Martyr USA". Salon.com. San Francisco, California: Salon Media Group. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  10. ^ Goodwin, Christopher (April 25, 2009). "California beauty queen Carrie Prejean becomes Republican hero". The Guardian. London, England. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  11. ^ Fisher, Luchina (April 20, 2009). "Perez Hilton 'Floored' by Miss California". ABC News. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  12. ^ "Carrie Prejean Says Answer to Gay Marriage Question Cost Her Miss USA Crown". FoxNews.com. April 20, 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  13. ^ Orr, Jimmy (April 20, 2009). "Miss California sparks outrage over gay marriage remarks". The Christian Science Monitor. Boston, Massachusetts: Christian Science Publishing Society. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
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  16. ^ a b "Miss California, Carrie Prejean, Signs With Top Christian Publicity Firm". U.S. News & World Report. Washington DC: U.S. News & World Report, L.P. April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
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  18. ^ Shin, Tony (April 23, 2009). "Newsom Defends Miss California". NBC News. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  19. ^ Bruni, Frank (November 15, 2009). "A Sapphic Victory, but Pyrrhic". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
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  22. ^ "Miss California: It was the photographer's fault". TODAY.com. May 13, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  23. ^ a b Leff, Lisa (May 5, 2009). "California pageant eyes Prejean for contract violations". San Jose Mercury News. San Jose, California: Digital First Media. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  24. ^ Miller, Korin (May 7, 2009). "Miss California Miss USA Carrie Prejean may lose her title over little white lie, nudie pics". New York Daily News. Los Angeles, California: Tronc. Archived from the original on August 22, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  25. ^ Hall, Carla (May 13, 2009). "Trump says Miss California USA can keep her crown despite uproar". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  26. ^ Burns, Alexander (May 2, 2011). "Trump on Prejean: Same as Obama". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle, Washington: Hearst Corporation. Politico.com. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  27. ^ a b McKay, Hollie (June 10, 2009). "Exclusive: Miss California Carrie Prejean to Lose Her Crown". Fox News. Archived from the original on June 12, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
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  29. ^ Duke, Alan (October 20, 2009). "Miss California USA sued over breast implant money". CNN.com. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  30. ^ Duke, Alan (November 3, 2009). "Prejean settles lawsuits with Miss California USA pageant". CNN.com. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  31. ^ Duke, Alan (November 4, 2009). "Source: Carrie Prejean 'sex tape' spurred pageant settlement". CNN.com. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
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  35. ^ Prejean, Carrie (2009). Still Standing: The Untold Story of My Fight Against Gossip, Hate, and Political Attacks. USA: Regnery Publishing. ISBN 978-1-59698-602-2. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  36. ^ "Book Details – Still Standing". Regnery Publishing. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  37. ^ Lapowsky, Issie (November 12, 2009). "Carrie Prejean throws temper tantrum on 'Larry King Live'; calls host 'inappropriate'". New York Daily News. New York City: Tronc. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  38. ^ Shapiro, Lila (November 12, 2009). "Carrie Prejean Threatens To Walk Off "Larry King" (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. New York City. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  39. ^ "Carrie Prejean & NFL Star Engaged". Yahoo! News. February 8, 2010. Archived from the original on February 12, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  40. ^ Rosenbaum, Claudia; Masters, Megan (July 3, 2010). "Carrie Prejean and Footballer Beau Tie the Knot". E! Online. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  41. ^ Schafer, Jenny (May 30, 2011). "Carrie Prejean Welcomes First Child: Grace Christina". Celebrity Baby Scoop. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  42. ^ Aushenker, Michael (June 8, 2018). "Kyle Boller moving to another chapter in life". Santa Clarita Valley Signal. San Jose, California: Paladin Multimedia Group. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  43. ^ Burkepile, Jacqueline (April 22, 2025). "Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean Boller Enters the Catholic Church: 'I Am Finally Home'". Church Pop. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  44. ^ "Interviewing Carrie Prejean Boller". The Conservateur. June 2, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  45. ^ Douglas, Stephen (August 30, 2021). "Carrie Prejean Boller Says the Pandemic is Over, Threatens to Run For School Board". The Big Lead. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  46. ^ Dickson, Ej (February 1, 2022). "A Trumpworld Beauty Queen Is Paying Kids at Target to Go Maskless". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  47. ^ Hansford, Amelia (October 16, 2022). "Model says pro-LGBTQ+ school committee should be jailed". PinkNews. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  48. ^ Wingfield, Mark (May 2, 2025). "Trump creates Religious Liberty Commission". Baptist News Global.
  49. ^ Deutch, Gabby (February 11, 2026). "Carrie Prejean Boller removed from WH Religious Liberty Commission after antisemitism flare-up". Jewish Insider. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  50. ^ Judd, Donald (February 12, 2026). "Chair of Trump's Religious Liberty Commission removes member after heated hearing on antisemitism". CNN. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  51. ^ Gilson, Grace (February 11, 2026). "Carrie Prejean Boller spurns calls to step down after anti-Zionist clash at White House antisemitism hearing". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  52. ^ Rosenberg, Yair (February 12, 2026). "Carrie Prejean Boller Is Not Going Quietly". The Atlantic. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  53. ^ Blackman, Josh (February 13, 2026). "Carrie Prejean Boller Refuses To Address Candace Owens's Anti-Semitic Comments". Reason Magazine. Retrieved February 19, 2026.