'Access Hollywood' Co-Host Billy Bush and 'My Name is Earl' Star Nadine Velazquez to Host the 2009 Miss USA(R) Pageant Live From Las Vegas on April 19th

'Access Hollywood' Co-Host Billy Bush and 'My Name is Earl' Star Nadine Velazquez to Host the 2009 Miss USA(R) Pageant Live From Las Vegas on April 19th

THE VERONICAS AND KEVIN RUDOLF TO PERFORM THEIR HIT SONGS

NEW YORK, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization announced today that the co-host of NBC's long-running entertainment show, "Access Hollywood," Billy Bush and star of NBC's hit comedy series "My Name is Earl," Nadine Velazquez will host the 2009 Miss USA(R) Pageant broadcast live on NBC (7-9 p.m. ET) from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, April 19th.

Billy Bush has been the co-anchor of the daily entertainment newsmagazine sensation "Access Hollywood" since 2004 and has worked as a correspondent on the program beginning in 2001. Bush is widely known for his penchant for celebrity high-jinx and unique brand of reporting. Bush is no stranger to the Miss Universe Organization as he has hosted both the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants in 2003, 2004 and 2005. In addition, he has hosted several high-profile red carpet events including the Grammy's, Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.

The talented Nadine Velazquez stars as 'Catalina,' on NBC's hit series "My Name is Earl." "Daily Variety" recently pegged Velazquez as one of the 'Ten Actors to Watch' and "USA Today" named her 'One of the Five Rising Stars to Watch Closely.' In 2006 and 2007, Velazquez received nominations for 'Supporting TV Actress' at the ALMA Awards for her work on "My Name is Earl." She will next be seen in an upcoming romantic comedy, "All's Faire in Love," alongside Christina Ricci. Velazquez was also a judge at the 2008 Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam.

Kevin Rudolf will perform his enigmatic anthem "Let It Rock" during the swimsuit competition of the telecast and rising electro-pop stars, The Veronicas, will perform their hit single "Untouched" during the evening gown competition.

Kevin Rudolf burst onto the scene this year with the song that has become a phenomenon, "Let It Rock," and he hopes to bring the same level of energy and excitement to Las Vegas. "Let It Rock" locked down the #1 spot on the iTunes charts, logging over 2.5 million downloads, and has remained an upper-tier staple on multiple Billboard formats.

The Veronicas, 24-year-old twin sisters from Australia, have skyrocketed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Soundscan's Top 20 Digital Chart and the Top 40 Radio chart with their hit single "Untouched." The Veronicas anticipate rocking the Miss USA telecast with their expert songcraft, killer harmonies and sassy confidence.

Fifty-one contestants from all across the United States will join in Las Vegas to determine who will wear the exalted Miss USA crown in 2009. Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. During her reign, Stewart has traveled across the country as an advocate for Breast and Ovarian Cancer education and awareness, and the winner of this year's competition will go on to do the same.

ABOUT THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION:

The MISS UNIVERSE(R), MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) 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 awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda's Club, Miss USA is armed to educate women today. For more information, visit: www.missusa.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Meredith Fitzpatrick of NBC, +1-818-777-2879,
meredith.fitzpatrick@nbcuni.com; Lark-Marie Anton, +1-212-373-4982,
lanton@missuniverse.com, or Esther Swan, +1-212-373-4870,
eswan@missuniverse.com, or Carl Althoff, +1-212-373-4983,
calthoff@missuniverse.com, all of The Miss Universe Organization; or Dara
Busch of Rubenstein Public Relations, +1-212-843-8079,
dbusch@rubensteinpr.com

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

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Profile: International Entertainment