Las Vegas Weekly

May 14, 2010 · 12:51 PM

It’s Playboy Playmate of the Year vs. 2010 Miss USA Pageant

By Robin Leach

2010 Miss USA Pageant contestants pose next to their controversial photographs.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

As Vince Neil sings with Motley Crue: “Girls, Girls, Girls!” And it’s a weekend that could only happen in Las Vegas. Call it the battle of the beauties, as one provocative new Playboy Playmate of the Year takes on 51 contestants in the 59th Annual Miss USA Pageant.

Brunette Texas knockout Hope Dworaczyk, 25, arrives in Sin City tomorrow with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, and she’s already shed all her modesty -- and clothes -- for her pictorial and first-time 3-D centerfold. (Yes, the glasses are included with the magazine.)

The beauty queens are already here at Planet Hollywood prepping for Sunday’s NBC telecast with pageant owner and real estate mogul Donald Trump, who’ll meet all of them for the first time tomorrow. The glamour girls are at the center of a controversy over sexy boudoir shots that we posted here on Monday.

When an estimated 7 million TV viewers see them in less than 72 hours, it’s certain to trigger more headlines. Here’s the video of the much-talked-about lingerie shoot with photographer Fadil Berisha.

Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue captured the pageant princesses checking out their photographs from the vixen video. On Sunday, each contestant will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and the chilling interviews. Here is the official YouTube gallery of all 51 contestants so you can try to guess the winner.

Meantime, as Kristen Dalton of North Carolina prepares to end her yearlong reign and crown the new Miss USA, she said, “It’s been the greatest year of my life.”

Check back here at Vegas DeLuxe tomorrow and Sunday for all the latest news, behind-the-scenes gossip and our interviews with Kristen and Miss USA President Paula Shugart. We posted a story Tuesday about the hosts, performers and judges on Sunday’s telecast. It’s Donald’s night on NBC because the pageant leads into his Celebrity Apprentice.

Said Paula: “Our broadcast last year was seen in over 95 countries and territories. Las Vegas has become our home away from home. Planet Hollywood and the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority have been incredible hosts, and it always makes for an exciting worldwide telecast. Las Vegas is tailor made to host an event like Miss USA.”

Planet Hollywood’s head honcho Robert Earl, who first brought the Miss USA Pageant here, added: “It’s a marquee event showcasing to a national and international audience the many highlights of the Entertainment Capital of the World. We look forward to our continued role as the host property for many years to come.”

The battle of the beauties can be a little tongue in cheek, and to prove it, here’s what happens when the reigning Miss USA gets into a staged catfight with Miss Universe, and Miss Teen USA saves the day.

PLAYMATE OF THE YEAR

The launch party for Playboy’s Playmate of the Year and June cover beauty Hope Dworaczyk is set for tomorrow at 8 p.m., getting a one-day jump on the pageant. For the first time, tickets are on sale for the public to attend the official announcement and celebration party at Rain in the Palms.

Hef and his steady girlfriend Crystal Harris will walk the red carpet with Palms owner George Maloof, host and singer Robin Thicke, the Playmate Dancers and Sony recording artists White Tie Affair. Although actress Pamela Anderson won’t be able to attend as planned, she will be honored with a celebration marking her record number of Playboy covers.

Hope will be presented with the winning $100,000 check tomorrow. I’ll have brunch with her the morning after at Iron Chef winner Kerry Simon’s restaurant in Palms Place for our one-on-one exclusive. She’s set for an incredible television and film career as a result of the PMOY title and just filmed a comedy role in a new Funny or Die skit with Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Jeff Garlin, Bob Saget and Ed Begley Jr. to promote Jeff’s new book My Footprint.

Hope reveals her vital statistics on Playboy’s official YouTube video.

Here’s the video of her April cover shoot that landed her the PMOY title.

We’ll have photo coverage, videos and interviews with Hope and Hef here on Sunday and Monday, plus our real-time reports on the Miss USA Pageant, so be sure to check back often as we’ll be posting throughout the weekend.

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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