LOS ANGELES — Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean says she lost her crown because of a comment she made about gay marriage and not because she had been skipping appearances.

Prejean told Matt Lauer on NBC'S "Today" show Friday that she "absolutely" had been dethroned because of the comment, when she said marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Prejean lost her title Wednesday after California pageant executive director Keith Lewis said Prejean was skipping Miss California USA events while speaking out against gay marriage at unsanctioned appearances.

Lewis said Friday that the pageant would never try to silence its contestants. He says they should be able to voice their opinions as long as they don't violate their contracts.

Prejean was replaced by the Miss California pageant's first runner-up, Miss Malibu Tami Farrell. Farrell has also said she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.

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