Las Vegas Weekly

August 13, 2010 · 1:28 PM

Miss Universe Pageant photos: Glittering gowns, Lake Mead visit

By Robin Leach

Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih.

Photo: Matt Petit

The 83 Miss Universe Pageant contestants have a very busy weekend of appearances and events packed into their preparations for the Aug. 23 live NBC telecast. Check out the new set of photographs of the beauties in their evening gowns they’ll wear in the 2010 pageant.

Construction crews yesterday began the massive task of readying Mandalay Bay Events Center for the competition hosted by Poison frontman Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales of NBC’s Today.

Last night, reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez led the 83 hopefuls to Fremont Street Experience downtown for a Neon Trees concert. Tonight, the group will watch entertainer Terry Fator’s ventriloquist show in his Mirage theater, and we plan to post those photographs here at Vegas DeLuxe over the weekend.

The Miss Universe Organization is a leading contributor in the fight against cancer, and tomorrow, its National Gift Auction will benefit our Nevada Cancer Institute. Each pageant contestant, plus Stefania of Venezuela, has brought an item from her respective countries for the silent auction.

Miss USA Rima Fakih will present jewelry from Diamond Nexus Labs, the maker of the official Miss Universe crown; Miss Belgium has bought two tennis balls signed by Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters; Miss Philippines has carried autographed boxing gloves from Manny Pacquiao; Mexican designer Pineda Covalin contributed a handbag and scarf for Miss Mexico’s gift; Miss Slovenia brought a Rogaska glass replica of a 6th century B.C. ceremonial water vessel; Miss Australia contributed Kailis pearl earrings from Western Australia’s north coast; and Miss Kazakhstan has offered wall panels created on motives from archeological excavations.

Mandalay Bay’s official welcome party will follow the 2-hour auction when Renee West, president of the resort casino, introduces each contestant at a cocktail reception at Moorea Beach Club. Stefania and the contestants will then be guests at Lost ’80s Live at Mandalay Bay Beach with Animotion, The Escape Club, When in Rome, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Motels, Dramarama, A Flock of Seagulls and Real Life.

Be sure to click back to Vegas DeLuxe on Monday for our exclusive one-on-one interview and photo shoot with Rima.

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.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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

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