NBC Sets International Judging Panel for 'Miss Universe 2005' Broadcasting Live From Bangkok, Thailand (May 30, 9-11pm ET)

NBC Sets International Judging Panel for 'Miss Universe 2005' Broadcasting Live From Bangkok, Thailand (May 30, 9-11pm ET)

All Star Panel Includes Carson Kressley (Bravo's 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'), Kevin Bright (Executive Producer of NBC's 'Friends' and 'Joey') and World Renowned Chef Jean Georges Vongrichten

NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Bangkok, Thailand is gearing up to play host to contestants from more than 80 countries around the globe for the 54th annual MISS UNIVERSE(R) competition. The show will be broadcast live on NBC and Telemundo from the Impact Arena and Convention Center on May 30th, 2005 from 9-11pm ET and around the world to a potential audience of close to a billion viewers. "Access Hollywood's" Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell co-host.

Miss Universe 2005 will be chosen by an international judging panel which includes: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's, Carson Kressley; Executive Producer of NBC hit shows including "Friends" and "Joey", Kevin Bright; "Days of Our Lives" Star, Bryan Dattilo; Vice President, Global Cosmetics and Marketing, Procter & Gamble, Anne Martin; Hair Stylist to the stars, Louis Licari; World-Renowned Chef and former Bangkok resident, Jean Georges Vongerichten; Danish Model Heidi Albertsen, Supermodel Cassie Lewis; Telemundo Latin Superstar, Mario Cimarro; Model and Former Miss Ukraine Universe, Alexandra Nikolayenko; Executive Vice President, Director, Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd, Chutinant "Nidnoi" Bhirombhakdi and Miss Universe 1988 from Thailand, Porntip "Bui" Nakhirunkanok Simon. Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell and Billy Bush, who recently co-hosted the Miss USA 2005 competition in Baltimore, Maryland will team up again to emcee the worldwide event.

"Thailand is world-class tourist destination which is ready to play host to the Miss Universe pageant and the thousands of international travelers from over 80 different nations who will converge on the country over the next three weeks," said Paula Shugart, Miss Universe Organization President. "We are excited to show our contestants, judging panel, fans and the television viewers this incredible country and all it has to offer."

Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005, will represent the United States as she competes with women from all corners of the globe for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2005. Chelsea, a North Carolina native, is a student at the Art Institute of Charlotte, where she is majoring in fashion marketing. After fulfilling her pageant duties as Miss USA, she will return to complete her degree and continue pursuing her dream of working with a major clothing designer. Australian native Jennifer Hawkins, Miss Universe 2004, will participate in the evening's show and crown her successor.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE(R), MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) competitions, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC partnership. Utilizing its global grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS Awareness and women's health and reproductive issues by forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Global Health Council, Gods Love We Deliver and the United Nations Population Fund's Face-to-Face Campaign.

Source: Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: The Miss Universe Organization, Mary Hilliard Harrington,
+1-212-373-4892, mhharrington@missuniverse.com, Esther Swan, +1-212-373-4870,
eswan@missuniverse.com, Erin Cooney, +1-212-373-4868,
ecooney@missuniverse.com; Rubenstein Public Relations, Dawn Weissman,
+1-212-843-8097, dweissman@rubensteinpr.com; NBC Entertainment Publicity,
Grace Niu, +1-818-840-3542, grace.niu@nbcuni.com, Jim Dowd, +1-212-664-5019,
jim.dowd@nbcuni.com

Web site: http://www.missuniverse.com/

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