‘The 2010 MISS USA Pageant’ to Air Live on NBC Sunday, May 16 (7-9 p.m. ET)

NEW YORK, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC and Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today that the “2010 MISS USA Pageant” will air on Sunday, May 16th (7-9 p.m. ET) from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas at the Theatre for the Performing Arts.

The evening will be a “Trump” night as the live pageant will lead in to NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which airs immediately following the telecast (9-11 p.m. ET).

“Las Vegas has become our home away from home. Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority have been incredible hosts and we plan on showing our contestants exactly why we keep coming back,” said Shugart. “Las Vegas is tailor made to host an event like Miss USA and it always makes for an exciting world wide telecast. The 2009 broadcast was seen in over 95 countries and territories.”

“Las Vegas is once again excited to welcome the MISS USA Pageant,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Our continued partnership with the Miss Universe Organization enables us to further relationships with global brands that value our market and share our values.”

“We look forward to welcoming back the Miss Universe Organization this May,” said Robert Earl, co-chairman of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. “The MISS USA Pageant is a marquee event for Las Vegas, showcasing to a national and international audience the many highlights of the Entertainment Capitol of the World. The partnership with the Miss Universe Organization, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Planet Hollywood has been a great success and we look forward to our continued role as the host property for many years to come.”

MISS USA 2009, Kristen Dalton, who was crowned at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has been traveling the nation as an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer awareness, education, research and legislation. She will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated viewing audience, in the U.S. alone, of over 7 million. Each contestant from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The show will conclude with one contestant ultimately being crowned MISS USA® 2010.

Donald J. Trump will again serve as executive producer of “The 2010 MISS USA® Pageant.”

The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas is the official Host Hotel of MISS USA® 2010.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants, is a joint venture between Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, Miss USA is equipped to educate women today.

SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization