MICHAEL PHELPS, MOLLY SIMS, SUGAR RAY LEONARD AND FREDERIC FEKKAI HEADLINE PANEL OF CELEBRITY JUDGES FOR NBC’S TELECAST OF MISS USA® PAGEANT (APRIL 11, 9-11PM ET)
A Special Miss USA “Fear Factor” to Precede Pageant at 8pm ET
NEW YORK – March 10, 2005 – NBC, Donald Trump and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization announced today that six-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps; CoverGirl supermodel and star of NBC’s “Las Vegas” Molly Sims; boxing legend and co-star of NBC’s “The Contender” Sugar Ray Leonard; and world-renowned beauty expert Frederic Fekkai will headline the celebrity judging panel for the Miss USA® 2005 pageant. Broadcast live on NBC, “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush and Nancy O’Dell will co-host the pageant from Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre on April 11, 9-11pm ET.
Also featured on this year’s judging panel are: famed fashion designer Pamela Dennis, notorious ladies-man Raj Bhakta from NBC’s “The Apprentice,” model Nicola Breytanbach and Brody Hutzler from NBC’s “Days of Our Lives.”
These eight judges will survey delegates from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and evaluate them based upon three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview competition. Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast before a potential worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million in 100 countries.
A special episode of NBC’s “Fear Factor” featuring six Miss USA delegates will broadcast April 11 at 8pm ET.
The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE ®, MISS USA ® and MISS TEEN USA ® Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) partnership. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers by forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and Gilda’s Club.
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Brenda Mendoza
The Miss Universe Organization
1370 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Telephone: 212.373.4999
Fax: 212.315.5378
E-Mail: pr@missuniverse.com
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