Sao Paulo, Brazil to Host the 2011 MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant Live on NBC

NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Donald J. Trump, NBC Universal and Miss Universe Organization President, Paula M. Shugart, announced today the 60th Annual MISS UNIVERSE® Competition will air live from Sao Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011.  The glamorous live event, featuring the most beautiful women in the universe, will air on NBC in the United States, with a Spanish simulcast on Telemundo.

"I am very pleased to announce our partnership with media conglomerate Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicacao and the selection of Sao Paulo as the host location for Miss Universe 2011," said the pageant's owner, Donald J. Trump.  "Brazil is rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse and is a great place to do business.  This decade, Brazil is hosting three of the greatest and most-watched worldwide events: the World Cup, the Summer Olympic Games and now, to kick it all off, Miss Universe."  

"Grupo Bandeirantes is delighted that we have reached an agreement with the Miss Universe Organization to host the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil," said the network's president, Joao Carlos Saad.  "We believe it is fitting for Brazil to set the stage for this glamorous event, and we look forward to showing the contestants, and the almost 200 countries around the world who watch the pageant every year, the exciting and vibrant culture of our beautiful country." 

Contestants from more than 80 countries around the world will travel to Brazil for almost a month of activities leading up to the live telecast.  They will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview, as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2011.  This is first time in its 60-year history the Miss Universe contest will be held in Brazil.  

Mexicana, Ximena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast.  During her reign, Navarrete has traveled the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation.  The next Miss Universe will continue this work.

About MISS UNIVERSE®

The MISS UNIVERSE® pageant is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its international grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health and reproductive issues by forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as Aid for AIDS, the Latino Commission on AIDS, God's Love We Deliver, PSI/YouthAIDS, The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Gay Men's Health Crisis and the Same Sky Trade Initiative. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com.

Follow Miss Universe®:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialMissUniverse
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/OfficialMissUniverse
• Twitter: TheRealMissU
• Blogs: www.missuniverse.com/blogs/index

About Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicacao

Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicacao is one of the biggest multimedia conglomerates in Brazil, providing content throughout the country for the past 73 years. There are two open channels (Band and Rede 21), five cable channels, international channels (distributed in Angola, Mozambique and the United States), newspapers, a cable TV operator, a home media service provider and multiple radio stations. More than 30 companies are integrated through various media platforms, solidifying its standing as a leader in technological advances, which enables them to meet all viewers' and advertisers' needs.  

SOURCE Miss Universe Organization; NBC