Let's Forget About Miss California: Hello, Miss North Carolina!

Enough is enough. We are so sick of hearing about Miss California and her drama. We have decided that here at Pop Culture Madness, we're not going to report on the ridiculous controversy that this girl has caused with her semi-nude pictures and anti-gay marriage group affiliation. We're so sick of hearing about her and well, her lies. Trust us, she KNEW a photographer was taking those pictures of her, she was looking RIGHT AT THE CAMERA.

Let's get to know THE REAL MISS USA. Did you even know that Miss North Carolina was actually crowned Miss USA 2009? She's the real winner in all this - she beat out 50 other beauty queens in the live pageant televised from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Kristen Dalton is 21 years old and aspires to be a motivational speaker, meet Miss North Carolina!

Check out an interview held with Miss North Carolina below, we want your thoughts. Does she seem more qualified and composed to hold the crown? I feel like the poor thing hasn't gotten an ounce of recognition over her victory because of the media attention surrounding Miss California.

Did Perez Hilton Discriminate?

Discrimination sucks. Older people shouldn't be overlooked for a job to go with a younger applicant. Women shouldn't face a glass ceiling. Men shouldn't be discounted excellent single parents, the list goes on. But when it comes to a beauty pageant, are all bets off?

Take for instance Perez Hilton's damning decision to fail Carrie Prejean (Ms California) in the final round of the Miss USA contest. He asked her a loaded question, one which he had a serious bias in, and she was given a zero on her answer for answering it against his belief system. What was it? He asked her if she agreed with same sex marriage. Perez is openly gay and human nature tells you any question against his choice of living was bound to hurt her. It is less than ironic that he chose to ask only her the question based on her open Christian values. So the landmine was set and she answered according to her values and convictions.

The question is now, do you penalize someone for disagreeing with you, or do you give them points for standing up for their beliefs? After all, Perez stood up for his. Perez commented after the event, "She lost it because of that question. She was definitely the front-runner before that."

Now this is a beauty contest. One that at one time was based on paleolithic underpinnings. A 'guy thing'. Over time it's become a politically correct wash. The word beauty is dropped and de-emphasized. What are we judging these ladies on now? What standards are really in play? Isn't the point of the pageant (remnant description of the event) to use your own personal discrimination? Or is it to judge based on looks, talent (use that term losely) and smarts? You can go so many directions with this. The funny thing is no one ever cares about these contests until somone finds something offensive to stand on a soap box and complain about.

This question is going to be played out for some time now. This explosion is in a soft state. It should erupt and grow due to what appears as 'discrimination' to many legal analysts. Perez would be wise to how much he reflects on this situation as he is a celebrity blogger that is now becoming the news instead of one reporting on it. I mean to say, 'everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.' Mark my words, this is only the beginning. Legally this Miss USA dust up will go no-where, but our society is now beginning to examine the issue of gay marriage in a way that draws every one of us into it like it or not. For now... the question remains, did Perez Hilton discriminate?

-Lars Hindsley

What Do You Think About Miss California?

It all started when gossip blogger Perez Hilton was chosen to ask Miss California Carrie Prejean a question, and proceeded to inquire about her views on same-sex marriage. She answered that it was "great" that the option is available in some states, but that "in my country and in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman -- no offense to anyone out there." In her country? Don't we all live in The United States?





Hilton has proceeded to go on a media blitz attacking her and she's all over the Internet. Gay rights activist groups have spoken out against her as well. NOTE: Miss California didn't win the competition. Miss North Carolina actually won the crown! Did you know that? Poor gal, the media isn't bothering to really discuss her!

The beauty queen also went on Billy Bush's radio show on Monday, saying she believes her comment on gay marriage "cost me my crown," but she "wouldn't have had it any other way. I said what I feel."

What are your thoughts on this controversy? It seems people are split about her answer depending on their stance about the issue of gay marriage. Miss California was both booed and cheered for her answer.

Kelli McCarty Breaks New Ground

DISCLAIMER: Links in this article are not safe for work or with minors present.

The news recently is that former Miss USA (1991) Kelli McCarty is featuring in a porn film. In the same way that Internet dating has broken through the social stigma, Kelli McCarty is taking the lead on an important next step in social injustice. Legitimizing sex on screen.

Now before any hypocrites weigh in, let's be honest. You watch porn. If you don't your spouse or friend does. You just don't admit it. It's like not admitting that you... well in the words of "How I Met Your Mother" ...you don't admit you 'read magazines'. And isn't that it? Shows like Seinfeld and others crossed the line with sexual content. Other shows in prime time have taken up the cause of gay rights. Just 30 years ago, gay content would not be just be censored, it was silenced by networks. But now, it's cool to be gay. You'd hardly know that at one time being gay was socially unacceptable. Even Marvel's Stan Lee is touting his next character (on TV) as the first gay superhero. Oh... and there are many existing gay superheroes. Actual comic book readers yawn at this news. Why? Because we are not uptight. The world is getting less uptight. Another example would be teen pregnancy. No longer is that 'so bad'. With the exception of porn and politics it seems every divide we have is being closed.

So when Kelli McCarty a former Miss USA Queen says, "I enjoy acting,and I really like sex ... so this was the perfect opportunity to combine two of my passions." Do you really get it? Sex is hardly taboo in Europe, but here in the land of the free and home of the brave, if you have porn on your hard drive you are branded a sicko. Come on folks, admit it. Kelly McCarty is not a burned out actress looking to make a buck. She's a trailblazer to be respected and admired.

Now go check out Kelly McCarty's trailer for Faithless! (Not safe for work or with children present). You'll only need an e-mail to preview the softcore version.

Miss USA Talks About Her Stumble

On Sunday night at the Miss Universe pageant, Miss USA, Crystle Stewart, fell while she was entering the stage wearing a long ball gown. She had a good sense of humor about it when she spoke to the press!

"I think I'm going to have to take some walking classes," Crystle Stewart told The Associated Press, "I would never have thought in a million years that I would fall down at the Miss Universe pageant... right after Miss USA fell last year."