Las Vegas Weekly

August 12, 2010 · 1:15 PM

Photos: Miss Universe hopefuls’ global dinner and swimsuit shoot

By Robin Leach

Chef Rick Moonen poses with Miss Sri Lanka, Miss Mexico, Miss Colombia and Miss Puerto Rico during the Miss Universe around the world chef tasting event at the World Market Center on Aug. 11, 2010.

Photo: Brian Jones/Las Vegas New Bureau

Today was the official and annual signature swimsuit poster photo shoot for the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant contestants, and at 6:30 a.m., the bathing beauties were huddled under bathrobes at Mandalay Bay Beach to catch the sun’s early rays. It’s the best light of the day for photographs!

Yesterday was a busy day of preparation, with stops at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign with Mayor Oscar Goodman, then a meet-and-greet at Fashion Show mall all wrapped up with the International Dinner served by our celebrity chefs at the downtown World Market Center.

Our contributing photographers were in sharp focus at every stop the international beauties made for our photo galleries. It also was the day that our contributing videographer Richard Corey snagged an exclusive interview with Miss Israel that contributing photographer Erik Kabik shot for us. Check back right here at Vegas DeLuxe for that photo gallery and video later.

Tonight at 9, the 83 glamour girls are attending the free Neon Trees concert at Fremont Street Experience’s 3rd Street stage, with reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez introducing the band. Tomorrow night, the ladies attend Terry Fator’s Ventriloquism in Concert at The Mirage and then meet him and his puppets backstage after the performance.

On Saturday, each one of the contestants will present a gift representing their home country to the Nevada Cancer Institute to be auctioned off at the Miss Universe National Gift Event in Mandalay Bay. That will be followed by an ’80s concert in which they’ll take part in at Mandalay Bay Beach.

Next week, the jam-packed schedule includes Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis at MGM CityCenter’s Aria and a swimsuit fashion show before the hard work of rehearsals and preliminary competitions begins. It all leads up to the dress rehearsal and then live telecast Aug. 23 from Mandalay Bay and the crowning of the new Miss Universe.

Vegas DeLuxe is there every step of the way with our daily reports and photo coverage of all their activities, plus the behind-the-scenes, candid coverage, so check back often!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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