Las Vegas Weekly

August 18, 2010 · 7:35 AM

Donald Trump announces judges for 2010 Miss Universe Pageant

By Robin Leach

Donald Trump with Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez.

Photo: Miss Universe Organization

Billionaire business mogul Donald J. Trump announced this morning the celebrities and experts who will judge his 2010 Miss Universe Pageant live on NBC from Mandalay Bay at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET on Monday.

As Vegas DeLuxe exclusively reported over the weekend, Mindfreak magician Criss Angel, who appears nightly in Cirque du Soleil’s Believe at the Luxor, leads the panel.

The other VIPs are actor, producer and writer William Baldwin; percussionist and drummer Sheila E; MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall; 2010 Olympic figure skating champion and Dancing With the Stars finalist Evan Lysacek; Oscar-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri, who recently starred in A Bronx Tale at The Venetian; singer and actress Chynna Phillips; Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress Jane Seymour; and supermodel Niki Taylor.

Photo: Adam Larkey/ABC TV

Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya on Week 7 of ABC's Dancing With the Stars on May 3, 2010.

“When you combine the world’s most beautiful women, bikinis, a rock star and a panel of top celebrity judges, you have a recipe for success,” said The Donald early today in a media release. “The Miss Universe Pageant is a worldwide phenomenon, and you won’t want to miss this show!"

“We look forward to hosting Monday’s 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at Mandalay Bay,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. “The Mandalay Bay team, and the larger MGM Resorts family, stands ready to deliver a stellar event for all of the participants and for the worldwide audience.”

Photo: CrissAngel.com

Criss Angel and his mother Dimitra.

As previously announced, the hosts of the show are multi-platinum Poison singer and Celebrity Apprentice Season 3 winner Bret Michaels and Today co-host and correspondent Natalie Morales.

Additionally, John Legend & The Roots will perform during the evening gown competition, and during the swimsuit competition, Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis will perform a medley of songs from the hit spectacular presented nightly at Aria in MGM’s CityCenter.

2009 Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez will crown her successor at the conclusion of the live broadcast. During her reign, she has traveled around the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education and awareness. The new Miss Universe will continue this work throughout her reign.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih poses for photos with Donald Trump after winning the 2010 Miss USA Pageant at Planet Hollywood on May 16, 2010.

Eighty-three contestants, including 2010 Miss USA Rima Fakih, compete in the television event in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Tickets to the Miss Universe Preliminary and Finals competitions at Mandalay Bay are still available.

Vegas DeLuxe will report live on our Twitter and blog pages throughout Monday’s pageant, and we’ll post photographs of the new Miss Universe moments after the telecast ends.

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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