娱乐英语新闻:U.S. pageant co-executive quits

BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Co-executive director of the Miss California USA pageant, Shanna Moakler, resigned Wednesday in protest over Miss Universe pageant owner Donald Trump's decision that Miss California could retain her crown despite controversy over her topless photos and anti-gay marriage views.

"I no longer believe in the organization because of pageant owner Donald Trump's decision to let the state's controversial title holder, Carrie Prejean, keep her crown," Moakler, a former Miss USA titleholder and a supporter of gay marriage, said in a statement.

    She said: "I cannot with a clear conscious move forward supporting and promoting the Miss Universe Organization when I no longer believe in it, or the contracts I signed committing myself as a youth."

In this April 26, 2009 file photo, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, waves as she comes on stage at the Rock Church during services in San Diego

    Trump announced in New York's Trump Tower Tuesday that Carrie Prejean "will remain Miss California." His decision came a day after Moakler angrily accused Prejean of violating the contract she signed with pageant organizers at a press conference Monday.

    Miss California came under fire when she expressed her opinion on gay marriage and claimed her answer cost her the Miss USA crown last month.

    Prejean risked losing her crown after pictures of her wearing little more than skimpy bottoms appeared on the Internet, despite having stated that she had never posed nude or semi-nude.

    Trump, however, said the photos did not violate her contract as Miss California