Vanessa Minnillo and Mario Lopez to Host Miss Universe(R) 2007, Live From the National Auditorium in Mexico City on NBC, Monday, May 28, 9-11 PM ET

Vanessa Minnillo and Mario Lopez to Host Miss Universe(R) 2007, Live From the National Auditorium in Mexico City on NBC, Monday, May 28, 9-11 PM ET

NBC's "Heroes" James Kyson Lee, Rocker Dave Navarro, Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo, and World and Olympic Figure Skating Champion Michelle Kwan, Among the Celebrity Judges

NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanessa Minnillo, "Entertainment Tonight" correspondent and former Miss Teen USA (1999), will join "Dancing With the Stars" semi-finalist and "Extra" weekend correspondent Mario Lopez, to co-host NBC'S broadcast of MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2007 live from the National Auditorium (Auditorio Nacional) in Mexico City, Mexico, on Monday, May 28 at 9:00p.m. ET/delayed PT.

Celebrity judges include NBC's "Heroes" James Kyson Lee, NBC's "Deal or No Deal" briefcase model Lindsay Clubine, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, rocker Dave Navarro, World and Olympic figure skating champion Michelle Kwan, celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves, fashion designer Marc Bouwer, "Project Runway" judge and Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia, and former Miss Universe (1993) Dayanara Torres.

Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. Each contestant from over 75 countries around the world will be judged in three categories, swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview.

Puerto Rico native, Zuleyka Rivera, has traveled the world this year as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. At the beginning of her reign, Zuleyka was appointed International Ambassador for the Latino Commission on AIDS and took a public HIV/AIDS test at Alianza Dominicana in Washington Heights, NY. She participated in an AIDS Awareness Tour and traveled the world to countries like Mumbai and India showing her support. On World AIDS Day, Ms. Rivera commemorated the day with the Honorable Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York and in February, at the request of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, she addressed the audience at the "Messages of Peace" concert on the HIV/AIDS pandemic at the United Nations.

"I have learned more in the past year then I could have ever imagined," said Zuleyka Rivera. "I have met many people from all around the world and I hope I helped them to make a difference in their fight against HIV/AIDS. As I crown my successor, I am confident that she will continue the mission of the Miss Universe Organization and work to eradicate this pandemic."

The Gurin Company returns for the fifth year to produce the pageant with veteran television writer and executive producer Phil Gurin. Gurin will also serve as executive producer and is the co-creator of the upcoming NBC primetime game show, "The Singing Bee."

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 Universal partnership. Utilizing its global 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: the Latino Commission on AIDS, Global Health Council and God's Love We Deliver, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today. For more information visit www.missuniverse.com.

To purchase tickets for the telecast visit: www.ticketmaster.com.mx

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Grace Niu, Sr. Press Manager, of NBC, +1-818-840-3542,
grace.niu@nbcuni.com; or Lark-Marie Anton, +1-212-373-4892,
lanton@missuniverse.com, or Esther Swan, +1-212-373-4870,
eswan@missuniverse.com, or Joyce Lee, +1-212-373-4983, jlee@missuniverse.com,
all of The Miss Universe Organization; or Dara Busch of Rubenstein Public
Relations, +1-212-843-8079, dbusch@rubensteinpr.com, for The Miss Universe
Organization

Web site:

http://www.missuniverse.com/

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