IS THIS ALL JUST A BIG PUBLICITY STUNT?

In what is probably NOT the last we’ll see of Miss Teen S.C. – who has been plastered all over the Internet and MSM for her nonsensical answer to an easy question at the Miss USA pageant – Lauren Caitlin Upton took to the Today show this morning to defend herself. And she actually seemed somewhat coherent.

She was upbeat, contrite, and to a small extent, self-deprecating. She talked about how she was nervous, overwhelmed and that she made a mistake. The question was asked again, and she gave a decent answer.

But something struck us as odd.

The way this has all unfolded and her ability to be in New York less than 48 hours after she became the butt of nearly every joke in America leaves us wondering if we may have a little Jessica Simpson on our hands. By that we mean, is there a chance she did this on purpose?

Look at it this way. Upton, who is also a model, has had that clip plastered everywhere. But there’s something else that has begun showing up all over the place: her incredibly hot modeling pictures.

We wouldn’t be shocked if she has ALREADY received modeling offers, movie deals, book requests, etc. Got a line of clothing that involves maps or traveling or even “the Iraq”? She’s your girl. How about a series of cameos calling for a dumb blond? Guess who? You can see where this is going.

Her head may be in the clouds in a way we never expected because the sky could be the limit for cashing in on this gaffe.

In fact, this could prove to be the greatest career move she’ll ever make. We’re laughing at her now, but in the end, she may be the one laughing all the way to the bank.

Don’t get us wrong, she’ll always be “that girl” that botched “that answer.” She’ll never shake that. But she may soon be “that rich and famous girl” that botched “that question.”