India, Aug. 8 -- Former Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse has broken her silence after losing the crown, saying she believes her conservative political views and Christian faith played a role in the decision to strip her of the title.

In an interview with the Carolina Journal, Boltinhouse said she was unable to discuss the specifics of the decision because of a confidentiality clause. But, she offered her clearest explanation yet for why she believes the pageant title was taken from her.

Boltinhouse stopped short of directly accusing the organization of discriminating against her, repeatedly acknowledging that she does not know exactly what motivated the decision.

Still, she said she believes her beliefs were at the center o...