The 2012 MISS USA® Competition Will Heat Up the Las Vegas Strip on June 3 LIVE on NBC (9-11 p.m. ET) From Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

The 2012 MISS USA® Competition Will Heat Up the Las Vegas Strip on June 3 LIVE on NBC (9-11 p.m. ET) From Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

Andy Cohen (BRAVO) and Giuliana Rancic (E! NEWS) Return as Hosts of the 61st Annual Competition

NEW YORK, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today that the "2012 MISS USA® Competition" will air LIVE on NBC Sunday, June 3(9 p.m. ET) from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas at the Theatre for the Performing Arts. Andy Cohen, host of Bravo's "Watch What Happens: Live" and Giuliana Rancic, co-anchor of "E! News," will host the competition.

"The city of Las Vegas, one of the most exciting cities in the world, will once again set the stage for the Miss USA competition, giving 51 of the most beautiful women in the country a chance to win the coveted title of Miss USA," said Trump. "Planet Hollywood has consistently rolled out the red carpet for our contestants and it is a natural for us to host the pageant there."

"The MISS USA® Pageant and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino are the perfect pairing. This is one of the most exhilarating events of the year, being held at the most exciting resort on the Las Vegas Strip," said David Hoenemeyer, regional president of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. "We are proud to partner with the MISS USA® Pageant for the fifth year in a row to host this spectacular event."

Last year, the 2011 MISS USA® Competition on NBC was the #1 show of the night for all key demographics. The 2012 MISS USA® Competition will feature contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Contestants will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The show concludes with one contestant ultimately being crowned Miss USA 2012.

Adds Shugart: "Not only will we have the hottest show on the strip the night of June 3, but we are excited to welcome back Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic as hosts. Andy and Giuliana's charisma and energy are a great fit for us, and it was obvious they had a lot of fun together at Miss USA last year. We are happy to have them back."

Andy Cohen is the host and executive producer of "Watch What Happens: Live (WWHL)," Bravo's late night, interactive talk show now airing five nights a week and features guests from some of Bravo's most popular series, as well as from the world of entertainment, politics and pop culture. For last year's 2011 Miss USA competition, WWHL aired live immediately after the telecast making it the first time the show shot outside a studio. When Cohen doesn't have hosting duties, he is also the executive vice president of original programming and development for Bravo where he oversees the development and production of more than two dozen shows such as "Top Chef," and "The Real Housewives."

Giuliana Rancic is a co-anchor of "E! News" and host of E!'s hugely popular "Fashion Police." She is also the executive producer/star of her hit Style Network reality show, "Giuliana & Bill." Rancic can also be seen co-hosting red carpet events such as the Golden Globes and The Oscars.

Also returning as executive producers of the telecast are dick clark productions (dcp) led by Barry Adelman. Last year marked the first time the telecast incorporated a fan vote revealing the 16th contestant, along with a new technology enabling viewers to play "virtual judges" from their home.

The program concluded with Alyssa Campanella, Miss California, being crowned Miss USA 2011. During her reign, she represented the USA in the 2011 MISS UNIVERSE® Competition held in Sao Paulo, Brazil placing in the Top 16. She has been active raising awareness for breast and ovarian cancer as well helping promote the USO Wishbook in support of our troops. Campanella has also made numerous TV appearances; most notably as a contestant on Food Network's "Rachael vs Guy Celebrity Cook-Off' and a presenter on NBC's special "American Giving Awards."

The Miss USA telecast now reaches approximately 90 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.missusa.com.

ABOUT THE MISS USA®PAGEANT

The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. As part of the Miss Universe Organization, Miss USA is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. For more information, visit: www.missusa.com.

Follow Miss USA(®):

-- Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialMissUSA
-- YouTube: www.youtube.com/OfficialMissUSA

-- Twitter: @MissUSA
SOURCE Miss Universe Organization

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120308/NY67080
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Brenda Mendoza, Miss Universe Organization, BMendoza@missuniverse.com, +1-212-373-4983, or Dara Busch, Rubenstein Public Relations for Miss Universe, dbusch@rubensteinpr.com, +1-212- 843-8079

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

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