Akon And Cobra Starship Announced As Musical Performers For The 2012 Miss USA® Competition In Las Vegas On June 3

NEW YORK, May 30, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, announce today that international multi-platinum recording artist & producer, Akon, and American pop band, Cobra Starship, will be the musical performers for the 61st Annual MISS USA® Competition, which will be broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 3 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

With 45 Billboard Hot 10 songs and over 300 guest appearances with megastars such as Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga, Akon is one of the most popular artists in music today. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of the smash hit single "Locked Up", from his debut album "Trouble." His second album, "Konvicted" received three Grammy Award nominations. During the telecast, he will perform "America's Most Wanted" from his upcoming album, "Stadium," during the "Final Look" portion featuring the Top Five Finalists.

Although it may seem like its only just begun for Cobra Starship, the band has been touring for several years with "Night Shades" being the New York group's fourth album. The group's first single, "You Make Me Feel" off of "Night Shades" has been certified double platinum and broken the Top 10 at both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 40 Pop Charts. The band's follow up single "#1Nite" is currently at pop radio outlets nationwide and a new video will be released in the coming weeks. Cobra Starship will perform a special medley that includes both "#1Nite" and "You Make Me Feel" during the swimsuit portion.

Akon and Cobra Starship join an exciting talent line-up that already includes Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic as hosts of the telecast as well as Kelly Osbourne and Jeannie Mai as commentators.

Throughout the Miss USA competition, each contestant representing the 50 United States and the District of Columbia competes in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The telecast concludes with Miss USA 2011, Alyssa Campanella, crowning her successor.

Fans have also been able to vote their favorite contestant into the semifinals at the 2012 MISS USA® Competition. Voting is taking place now through June 2 by logging on to www.missusa.com or www.NBC.com. Finally, for the first time ever, the organization announced that fans can ask a Final Question via twitter by using #AskMissUSA beginning today and during the two-hour telecast. One lucky fan's question will be read to a Top Five finalist during the interview portion.

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.

SOURCE Miss Universe Organization