Fans will be active participants in the on-stage interview portion of the 2012 Miss USA® Pageant
New York, NY- May 31, 2012—NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, announce today the celebrities and experts who will judge for the 2012 MISS USA® Competition, which will be broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 3 at 9 p.m. ET.
The impressive panel of judges includes:
- Cat Cora, Chef, Philanthropist, Author and Co-Host of Bravo’s Around the World in 80 Plates
- Ali Fedotowsky, Host of NBC TV’s “First Look” and Former Bachelorette
- Arsenio Hall, Late Night Legend and Celebrity Apprentice Winner
- Marilu Henner, New York Time Best-Selling Author, Actress, and Producer
- Joe Jonas, Actor and Grammy Nominated Musician
- Rob Kardashian, TV Personality and Entrepreneur
- George Kotsiopoulos, Co-Host of E! “Fashion Police”
- Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008
“We couldn’t be more excited about the celebrities joining us this year to help select the next Miss USA,” said Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization. “Their participation, along with our amazing hosts, commentators and two live musical performances will make it a star-studded show.”
The celebrity judges join an exciting line-up that includes Grammy-nominated superstar Akon, who will perform his new song “America’s Most Wanted” during the “final look” portion featuring the Top Five finalists in the telecast, as well as American pop band Cobra Starship who will perform a special medley that includes both “#1Nite” and “You Make Me Feel” during the swimsuit portion.
As previously announced, Andy Cohen, host of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens: Live,” and Giuliana Rancic, co-anchor of “E! News,” will host the competition. Kelly Osbourne, of E!’s “Fashion Police,” and Jeannie Mai, of Style Network’s “How Do I Look?,” will serve as commentators.
Throughout the MISS USA® competition, each contestant representing the 50 United States and the District of Columbia competes in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The telecast concludes with Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella crowning her successor.
Fans have also been able to vote their favorite contestant into the semifinals at the 2012 MISS USA® Competition. Voting is taking place now through June 2 by logging on to www.missusa.com or www.NBC.com. Finally, for the first time ever, the organization announced that fans can ask a Final Question via twitter by using #AskMissUSA leading up and during the two-hour telecast. One lucky fan’s question will be read to a Top Five finalist during the interview portion.
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ABOUT THE MISS USA®PAGEANT
The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. As part of the Miss Universe Organization, Miss USA is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. For more information, visit: www.missusa.com.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Brenda Mendoza Dara Busch
Miss Universe Organization Rubenstein Public Relations
bmendoza@missuniverse.com DBusch@rubensteinpr.com
347.247.8568 212.843.8079