Las Vegas Weekly

August 21, 2010 · 11:38 AM

Miss Universe hopefuls pose in swimsuits; gift auction on eBay

By Don Chareunsy

2010 Miss Universe Pageant contestants at the National Gift Auction at Mandalay Bay benefiting the Nevada Cancer Institute on Aug. 14, 2010.

Photo: Courtesy

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

It’s the weekend before the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Monday night, and the 83 contestants, including 2010 Miss USA Rima Fakih of Michigan (who was crowned at Planet Hollywood three months ago), are amid the preliminary shows and judges’ interviews.

This evening, the contestants will model their Dar Be Dar by Tala Raassi swimsuits at Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay Beach for family, friends and fans. The group of hopefuls will be individually introduced and then pose for photographs. After the swimsuit event and photo shoot, the 83 contestants stay onsite for the Michael Franti and Spearhead concert.

Meantime, the Miss Universe National Gift Auction benefiting Nevada Cancer Institute continues online on eBay, with 100 percent of the sales and fees of the remaining unsold items going to NVCI. Items still available through Thursday, Aug. 26, include the 1.66-carat diamond from Botswana President Ian Kama Seretse Khama and Usain Bolt autographed memorabilia from Jamaica.

Among the most coveted and purchased items during the gift auction at Mandalay Bay last weekend: Kailis pearl earrings from Australia; a five-day, four-night stay at the Cove, Atlantis, in the Bahamas; a Balmain Swiss watch; and Manny Pacquiao autographed boxing gloves from the Philippines.

The contestants’ week included dinner and a cooking demonstration at Todd English P.U.B. hosted by star chef English, Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis, the new Minus5 Ice Lounge at Monte Carlo, photos shoots at George Maloof’s Palms and MAGIC Fashion Week; and down time at Adventuredome at Circus Circus.

The 2010 Miss Universe Pageant, hosted by Natalie Morales of NBC’s Today and Poison frontman Bret Michaels, airs live from Mandalay Bay Events Center on NBC at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET on Monday.

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

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

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

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