Ex-Miss California ‘really hurt herself’

CNN's Larry King, in Las Vegas on Thursday to emcee the "Rock for the Cure" fundraiser at The Mirage, said Carrie Prejean, former Miss California USA, "really hurt herself" with her actions on his show Wednesday.

During her book-promoting appearance, Prejean repeatedly invoked the word "inappropriate" when King asked what motivated her settlement of a lawsuit with Miss USA beauty pageant officials.

Prejean believes she lost her Miss California USA crown because of her opposition to gay marriage, but pageant organizers said she was skipping official events.

King said he was trying to be respectful of the terms of her settlement. But "I've been doing this for lot of years, and others have said, 'I settled because I just wanted to put it behind me.'"

In a bizarre response that played out on national television, Prejean eventually removed her ear plugs and placed them in front of her and appeared to be seeking advice from a handler off camera.

"She could have said any number of things," King told me. "She hurt herself."

On another front, when King was asked for wife Shawn's reaction to Marie Osmond's recent firing of her father, Karl Engemann, as her manager, King said, "She's really hurt. She's devastated. She and Marie were close for years. Karl represented Marie for 35 years. Shawn is devastated."

Shawn King, who was in Nashville working on an album, was asked to comment but did not respond by deadline.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Céline Dion is "more determined than ever" to have a second child after her earlier announced pregnancy ended in disappointment. They will attempt the in vitro fertilization process again this weekend in New York, her husband and manager Rene Angelil told Journal de Montreal this week. "We are living the reality of the majority of couples who have to use (in vitro fertilization)," Angelil said. "The process can be long and arduous." ...

A departure ceremony is planned at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in conjunction with the "Tribute to the Troops" event at The Venetian. The farewell salute will be held in the Grand Colonnade. ...

Welterweight boxing champ Manny Pacquiao eats like a heavyweight. During dinner with friends at Picasso (Bellagio) on Wednesday night, he put away a 11/4-pound lobster, entrees of turbot filet and Kobe beef, along with steamed asparagus, steamed rice, mashed potatoes and dessert. He's fighting Miguel Cotto on Saturday at the MGM Grand.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

Tonight's the grand opening of Pete's Dueling Piano Bar at Town Square Las Vegas. The doors open at 4 p.m., with the dueling pianos starting at 8 p.m. Table reservations: 220-PETE (7383).

SIGHTINGS

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, at Santana's concert Wednesday at The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel). ... Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, in town shooting scenes involving the "Jersey Boys" today at the Palazzo. They are filming "The Other Guys," an action-comedy involving a second-rate team of New York detectives.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Three young Americans have been charged with espionage in Iran after straying into the country while hiking in Iraq. Obviously, we all pray for their safe return. But, hiking in Iraq? If you are hiking in Iraq and Iran, you might want to get a new travel agent. Who goes hiking in Iraq? What, was the rafting trip to Somalia all booked up?" -- Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.