Controversial Questions Worry Pageant Contestants

Miss USA contestants fear “a Carrie Prejean-style controversy” as a result of questions they’re being asked on evolution and nudity as they shoot video interviews for the pageant’s website, FoxNews.com reports.

“2011 pageant hopefuls are being asked if they believe evolution should be taught in schools, and if they would ever pose for nude photographs,” the site reports.

Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, which also operates Miss USA, said these “topics are very relevant and in the news.” However, a Miss USA official who was involved in the controversy over former Miss California Prejean said the contestants are finding the process frightening.

“The girls are scared to death,” said Keith Lewis, the executive state pageant director for California, New York, and New Hampshire. “They witnessed with Carrie Prejean how a firestorm can create a road kill, and nobody wants to be part of a situation like that again.”

Prejean, who represented California in the 2009 Miss USA pageant, aroused ire with her statements against same-sex marriage in response to a question posed on camera by blogger Perez Hilton, who served as a pageant judge. It later emerged that she had been the subject of racy photos and videos.

The pageant will be held June 19 and will be telecast live. Read more here.