Shanna Moakler - Moakler Returns As Miss Usa Pageant Director

Former beauty queen-turned-reality TV star SHANNA MOAKLER has returned to the Miss USA pageant organisation after resigning as a director following a scandal with ex-Miss California CARRIE PREJEAN earlier this year (09).

Moakler stepped down from her position in May (09) after Prejean was allowed to keep her Miss California crown despite allegations she was violating her contractual obligations by failing to make public appearances.

The former wife of rocker Travis Barker then felt vindicated when pageant boss Donald Trump decided to strip Prejean of her title the following month (Jun09).

Now Moakler, who was crowned Miss USA in 1995, is returning to her roots - because she believes in the values pageantry teaches young women.

She explains, "I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for pageants. And the reason I got involved is because I wanted to give back to girls, and I really believe that girls that are involved in pageants are ambitious, driven women who are trying to set themselves apart from the pack."

Moakler insists she was able to overlook Prejean's headline-making controversy - after she went public with her opposition to gay marriage and then appeared in a set of provocative beach photos - but she was insulted when the blonde allegedly ignored her duties.

She adds, "It was never about her (Prejean's) opinion... We have tons of religious, conservative beauty queens around the country; there has never been a beauty queen that has been dethroned because of her religious views. But, there have been many that have had their crowns taken away for breaching their contract."

Prejean is still facing controversy - a racy sex tape she recorded for a boyfriend when she was 17 leaked onto the internet earlier this month (Nov09).