Las Vegas Weekly

May 25, 2010 · 2:58 PM

2010 Miss Universe Pageant is at Mandalay Bay on Aug. 23

By Don Chareunsy

Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, center, poses for photos with Miss Teen USA 2009 Stormi Henley, left, and Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, right, after winning the 2010 Miss USA Pageant at Planet Hollywood on May 16, 2010.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

Hotel mogul Donald Trump, NBC and Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart announced today in a press release that the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant will air live on NBC and Telemundo from Mandalay Bay on Aug. 23.

“Las Vegas is so fabulous, we had to come back again for the Miss Universe Pageant,” Shugart said. “The world will be watching as women from all around the globe descend on Mandalay Bay to compete for the crown and the title.”

“Las Vegas was built to host special events and attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year,” said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “We are delighted to host the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant and look forward to showcasing the destination to our guests and the television viewers that will be joining us for this global event.”

“We are thrilled that Mandalay Bay and Las Vegas have been selected to host Miss Universe in August,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Mirage. “The Mandalay Bay team, and the larger MGM Mirage family, stands ready to deliver a stellar event for all of the participants and for the worldwide audience.”

2009 Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela will crown her successor at the conclusion of the Monday night two-hour telecast. Stefania has spent her reign traveling as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research and legislation. The woman crowned Miss Universe 2010 will continue to do the same.

Each contestant, representing more than 80 countries, will compete in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Worldwide distribution of the competition has topped more than 190 countries in past years.

Trump will again serve as executive producer for Miss Universe, and Mandalay Bay is the official hotel host. Trump also owns the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA Pageants. Miss Michigan Rima Fakih was crowned 2010 Miss USA at Planet Hollywood on May 16.

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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