Criss Angel, William Baldwin, Sheila E, Tamron Hall, Evan Lysacek, Chazz Palminteri, Chynna Phillips, Jane Seymour and Niki Taylor to Judge the '2010 MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant' on NBC Monday, August 23

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) announced the celebrities and experts who will judge NBC's "2010 MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant," which will broadcast live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on August 23 at 9 p.m. ET.

The celebrity panel of judges are: Criss Angel, illusionist and mystifier; William Baldwin, actor, producer and writer; Sheila E, world-renowned percussionist and drummer; Tamron Hall, anchor of "MSNBC Live"; Evan Lysacek, 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2009 World Figure Skating Champion; Chazz Palminteri, Oscar nominated actor and director best known for his work in A Bronx Tale; Chynna Phillips, American singer and actress; Jane Seymour, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner and Niki Taylor, international supermodel.

"When you combine the world's most beautiful women, bikinis, a rock star, and a panel of top celebrity judges, you have a recipe for success," said Donald J. Trump. "The Miss Universe pageant is a worldwide phenomenon and you won't want to miss this show!"

"We look forward to hosting next week's 2010 Miss Universe pageant at Mandalay Bay," said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. "The Mandalay Bay team, and the larger MGM Resorts family, stands ready to deliver a stellar event for all of the participants and for the worldwide audience."  

The pageant's Presenting Sponsor, Farouk Systems, Makers of CHI and BioSilk will be featured throughout the telecast with various 'glam on the go' hair care tips.

"Farouk Systems is proud to be presenting the Miss Universe competition," said Farouk Shami, Founder and Chairman of Farouk Systems. "Beauty knows no bounds or barriers and this international event brings the world together."

As previously announced, the hosts of the show are multi-platinum superstar singer and season three winner of NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice" Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales, NBC's "Today" show co-host and correspondent. In addition, John Legend & The Roots will perform during the evening gown competition. During the swimsuit competition, Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil will perform a medley of songs from the hit show which can be seen exclusively at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the live broadcast. During her reign, Fernandez has traveled around the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education and awareness. Miss Universe 2010 will continue this work throughout her reign.

The television event is comprised of 83 contestants who will compete in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.  

Tickets to the Miss Universe Preliminary and Finals competitions at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and at (800) 745-3000.

Official sponsors of the Miss Universe Organization include: Diamond Nexus Labs, Official Jewelry; Dar Be Dar by Tala Raassi, Official Swimwear; Farouk Systems, Official Hair Care; Nina Footwear, Official Footwear; Kryolan, Official Cosmetics; Sherri Hill, Official Fashions and the New York Film Academy. The Miss Universe Organization is proud to be working with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is the Official Host Hotel of the 2010 Miss Universe® competition.

ABOUT THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION      

The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide 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, God's Love We Deliver, PSI/YouthAIDS, The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Gay Men's Health Crisis. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com.

Follow Miss Universe®:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialMissUniverse
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/OfficialMissUniverse
• Twitter: TheRealMissU
• Blogs: www.missuniverse.com/blogs/index

ABOUT FAROUK SYSTEMS

Farouk Systems, Inc. is a Houston based company that manufactures the world-renowned brands CHI and BioSilk. The company's mission statement is Education, Environment and Ethics. With over 2,500 employees, the company sells its products in over 100 countries. The inception of the company was due to a major breakthrough, and it eventually created a revolution in the beauty industry. Farouk Systems went from inventing ammonia-free color, incorporating silk into hair care products, pioneering CHI thermal tool technology, and hiring a former NASA Senior Scientist.

ABOUT THE LVCVA

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With approximately 148,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and more than 10 million-square-feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information, go to www.VisitLasVegas.com.

ABOUT MANDALAY BAY RESORT & CASINO    

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is a AAA Four Diamond award-winning destination resort set on 60 lush acres and offering 3,635 newly remodeled rooms and suites, including 424 accommodations managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.  Mandalay Bay Beach, an 11-acre tropical pool environment, features real California sand, a wave pool and the only climate-controlled poolside gaming in the city.  The property also features the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center, award-winning restaurants, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 1.5-million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center – the largest convention center on the Las Vegas Strip. Mandalay Bay's brands include THEhotel, an all-suite hotel featuring 1,117 luxurious one-bedroom suites, the BATHHOUSE Spa, and The Shoppes of Mandalay Place, a collection of unique boutiques and restaurants. Mandalay Bay is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE™ (NYSE: MGM).  For more information and reservations, visit the Web site at www.mandalaybay.com, or call toll free at (877) 632-7000.

SOURCE Miss Universe Organization