PERFORMERS
New York, NY – July 23, 2009 – Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today that superstar artists Flo Rida, Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland will perform at the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant. Billy Bush, co-anchor of “Access Hollywood” and Claudia Jordan of “Celebrity Apprentice” and “Deal or No Deal,” will host the competition live from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 23rd at 9 PM ET on NBC and Telemundo.
International superstar Flo Rida will perform his hugely successful hit, “Right Round” and “Jump” as part of a two song medley during the Swimsuit Competition of the telecast. The rapper burst onto the scene in 2008 with his blockbuster debut album, “Mail on Sunday.”
Flo Rida’s single “Right Round,” from his new album “R.O.O.T.S.,” became the fastest million-selling digital song ever, reaching platinum status in just two weeks.
Included in the show will also be a performance by reality star Heidi Montag featuring her single “Turn Ya Head.” The song comes from Montag’s debut album, “Unleashed,” which was released in July. Along with her music career, Montag is a cast member on the hit MTV show “The Hills.”
David Guetta and Kelly Rowland will set the tone for the Evening Gown portion of the pageant. The popular duo will combine their talents as they perform their hit single, “When Love Takes Over.” Guetta, a world-renowned French DJ and producer, will release his fourth studio album in August, “One Love,” with Rowland, an accomplished R & B solo artist and former member of the band Destiny’s Child, providing the vocals for its lead single. “When Love Takes Over” is already number one on the UK Singles Chart and is quickly climbing in the US, having already been downloaded over 120,000 times on iTunes.
HOSTS
NEW YORK, N.Y., - June 23, 2009 -- Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today that Billy Bush, co-anchor of “Access Hollywood” and Claudia Jordan of “Celebrity Apprentice” and “Deal or No Deal,” will host the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant live on NBC on Sunday, August 23rd at 9:00 p.m. ET from Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
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 since 2001. Bush is also host of the nationally syndicated radio program "The Billy Bush Show." Bush is no stranger to the Miss Universe Organization, having hosted the most recent Miss USA competition in April. In addition, Bush previously hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Model, actress and former Miss Rhode Island USA, Claudia Jordan will serve as co-host. After moving to Los Angeles from Rhode Island, Jordan became a model on “The Price is Right.” She then went on to co-host the TV show “Livin’ Large” with Carmen Electra and worked as a correspondent for "Best Damn Sports Show Period.” Jordan has also been a newspaper reporter and was one of the few female reporters in Washington, D.C. to cover the Million Man March. Jordan was a contestant on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and most recently served as a judge at the 2009 Miss USA competition.
JUDGES
Dean Cain - actor and producer best known for his TV portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman
Colin Cowie - author/television personality/designer to the stars
Gerry DeVeaux - award-winning producer, songwriter and style guru
Farouk - Founder and Chairman of CHI Hair Care
Heather Kerzner - philanthropist and ambassador for Kerzner International and their resorts, including Atlantis, Paradise Island
Richard LeFrak - Chairman, President and CEO, LeFrak Organization
George Maloof Jr. - professional sports mogul and hotelier
Valeria Mazza - international supermodel
Matthew Rolston - leading photographer and director
Andre Leon Talley - award-winning writer and editor
Tamara Tunie - actress, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Keisha Whitaker - fashion maven and founder of the Kissable Couture lip gloss line
