I thought I would take the evening off tonight. I got settled in and turned on the TV, which was set to CNN and Larry King Live was on interviewing Carrie Prejean about her new book.
I vaguely remember her story, which Wikipedia sums up:
Caroline Michelle “Carrie” Prejean (born May 13, 1987)[1] is an American model and former beauty queen from Vista, California. She held the title of Miss California USA 2009, and placed first runner up in the Miss USA 2009 pageant. She gained nationwide attention over her answer to a question about same-sex marriage. She was eventually dethroned on June 10, 2009, with the producers of the Miss California USA pageant citing continued alleged breach of contract issues as the reason. Prejean called those claims false, and filed a libel suit alleging that she has been discriminated against due to her religious views.[2][3] However, the legal battle between her the pageant officials was settled out of court on November 3, 2009 following the revelation of a “sex tape” involving Prejean[4].
Since it would be a shame for me to take the evening off (!)…I happened to tune in to the interview when Carrie was talking about why she was fired from her role. She made it clear that she had not been released from her contract (which involved a highly confidential settlement) because of any moral considerations. Instead, she noted that it was because she was “difficult to work with.” Hmm…
I am not an expert on her case, but further in the interview, she did make a point of saying that she hopes her book teaches other young women to be careful of what they do and that they don’t do anything they’d be embarressed about down the road.
I have some career advice for Ms. Prejean – and everyone else:
Announcing that you are “difficult to work with” on national television is not a great career move. Maybe I am going out out a limb here, but I am willing to bet that there are more people out there who would work with someone who had a lapse in judgement as a teenager than people who would like to work with a self-professed “difficult to work with” 22-year old!
Ironically, the interview continued by Carrie telling Larry King he was being “inappropriate” in his questions to her, and then she almost walked off of the set when he took a phone call that she said was not part of the agreement. (Could she have just reminded him that she was not planning to take any calls?)
To me, it looked like a career lesson. On my evening off. So – there it is for you. Don’t make a sex tape. Don’t be rude on national television. And, most importantly, do NOT announce that you were considered “difficult to work with.” This is not an asset for most jobs.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Mirriam, Another insightful article. I can’t, well maybe I guess I can believe she did say that. Good lesson for everybody what not to say. Thanks.
It’s sad to see someone who has gained celebrity who just hasn’t prepared herself. If you’re being questioned in public a diplomatic answer is expected. And a sex tape?! People will be asking her about that when she’s 80. Who wants to buy a book from someone who’s been rude…hmmm, ‘difficult’ seems to be the cherry on the sundae.
Marsha Keeffer´s last blog ..The Secret No Employer Will Ever Tell You
I don’t like saying this, because it may not come out as politically correct, but it seems often when the media has a pre-occupation with a celebrity-lite(weight) such as Ms. Prejean (Quite a name for a beauty contestant!), they are often attractive people whom become grist for the media mill and eye candy for an audience who are focused on non-issues (Hello–we have 17.5 million people un/underemployed). Carrie Prejeans, Ann Coulter, Michelle Backman, Scott Peterson, John Edwards, Kate Gosselin…and, of course, Sarah Palin, about 5 female teachers and their pubescent students, the unsavory behavior. Of course, it is not always the case. But, when the subject of sensationalist non-issue is attractive…the media sure has a way of jumping on it… I’ll try to learn career lessons from Carrie Prejean….but if we have a popultation of 300 million (again 15.7 million un/under employed I think there are other examples out there….Mark N. New careeringtoday.com
Mark – I believe that there are career lessons everywhere! (Maybe this is why I can’t simply watch a TV show without needing to blog about it!) I think it is important to take the lessons no matter where they are! Thanks for your comment.
Hi…I guess I didnt see it the same way as some in the media did, re running this segment like it was some earth shattering deal, indicative of her stupidity, after all, they are thinking but not saying, her views are stooopid and counter to mine. I just saw an over matched girl who should stay out of the public glare.
And do we all think Larry King didn’t know the deal his producers made with her?…Gotcha journalism, maybe?
GL Hoffman´s last blog ..How To Think Like a Pro Twitterer
GL – I agree, it was a bit over played in the media. I guess the other lesson is to be prepared when engaging in the public arena. On the other hand, you can’t really have it both ways – grab media attention to promote your book AND be a private figure. I am sure that a lot more people know about Carrie’s book than might have heard about it had there NOT been a bru-ha-ha on Larry King! Thanks for stopping by!