Las Vegas Weekly

November 6, 2008 · 1:47 PM

Breaking News: Planet Hollywood to host 2009 and 2010 Miss USA Pageants

By Robin Leach

Moments ago a new, two-year deal between Donald Trump’s Miss Universe Organization and Robert Earl’s Planet Hollywood was signed to bring the beauty pageant to the Strip for two new consecutive years. Miss USA 2009 and Miss USA 2010 will be broadcast live from Planet Hollywood on NBC.

Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, announced that the 2009 competition will air live on April 19 from the Theatre for the Performing Arts. Paula, who used

to work with me on our old Star Search show, said: “Returning to Vegas was not a difficult decision to make. The great success of working together in 2008 with the collaboration of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, combined with the support of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, was so incredible we decided to come back for the next two years.

“Last year’s contestants had a great time in the desert seeing many of the attractions Las Vegas offers. We can’t wait to show this year’s delegates and our viewers more of this exciting city!”

“Signature special events are home to Las Vegas,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. “This event is truly a great partnership, leveraging the strength of each brand. Las Vegas is excited to once again host the Miss USA pageant.”

Robert Earl, co-chairman of Planet Hollywood, added: “We are delighted to welcome back the Miss Universe Organization. It is especially gratifying to know that we have the pleasure of hosting the Miss USA Pageant for the next two years. As an annual event, the Miss USA Pageant turns the national

spotlight on Las Vegas and all it has to offer and is a huge win for the entire Las Vegas community. The partnership with the Miss Universe Organization, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority and Planet Hollywood has proven to be very successful.”

Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart, who was crowned at Planet Hollywood this past April, has been traveling the nation as an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer awareness, education, research and legislation. She will crown her successor at the

conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before a worldwide TV audience including 7 million here in the United States.

Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The show will conclude with one contestant being crowned Miss USA 2009.

Planet Hollywood is also the Vegas home for at least the next two years for the rival Miss America pageant. The competitors for that event move into the resort in January for the end-of-the-month live broadcast on TLC. The state winner contestants are currently filming a 10-part reality TV series that will broadcast for 10 weeks leading up to the finals. Last January, Kirsten Haglund was crowned Miss America, the youngest contestant at just 19 to have ever won the prestigious title.

Share This