Donald Trump fires Miss California

LOS ANGELES, June 10 (UPI) -- Controversial beauty queen Carrie Prejean has been fired from her post as Miss California, Donald Trump and the Miss California Pageant organizers announced.

Prejean, who describes herself as a devout Christian, drew both criticism and support when she answered a question during the Miss USA pageant on same-sex marriage and said she thinks marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman. After the pageant, revealing photos of Prejean were leaked on the Internet.

Trump, who is co-owner of the Miss USA pageant, said at last month neither Prejean's opinions or photos should cost her the Miss California crown.

What did cause her to lose her title, however, was she allegedly violated her contract and endorsed outside organizations without authorization from her handlers, E! News reported.

"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," E! quoted Trump as saying. "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."

Momlogic.com said first runner-up Miss Malibu Tami Farrell will now assume the role and responsibilities of Miss California.