All Kinds of News!

On May 16th 2010, 51 beautiful girls represented their state/district in hopes of becoming the next Miss USA. The final production was shown live on a two hour NBC telecast. What a show! It was a magnificent production. All of the contestants were beyond gorgeous…any of them would have made a great Miss USA. In the end, Kristen Dalton (Miss USA 2009; also from NC) crowned Rima Fakih as her successor. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet Rima at the Standout Titleholder’s Retreat. Rima is a genuine, charming, and a groovy type of girl. I am so happy for you! Congratulations Rima!

I want to thank Nadia Moffett for representing North Carolina so well at Miss USA. You were spectacular! I couldn’t be more proud to call you my sister queen.

The future comes one day at a time as I prepare for Miss Teen USA 2010. Words cannot describe how ecstatic am about competing for an opportunity of a lifetime!

The competition will be held at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort located in Nassau, Bahamas. This spectacular resort rest on Paradise Island and is home to the world’s largest marine habitat. It doesn’t stop there; The Atlantis also includes a 15 million dollar marina, 141-acre water park (Aqua Adventure), the largest casino in the Caribbean, and 21 restaurants offering everything from fine dining to quick-and-easy favorites. Ready to grab your plane ticket and passport? Come down July 24th to cheer me on!

Did you know there are two Atlantis locations? One is in the Bahamas and the other is in Dubai. Earlier this year, I met Brittney Cason, a Charlotte based writer and TV host who is originally from Dubai (دبيّ.) in the United Arab Emirates. She is a contributing writer for AOL.com, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and a blogger for the Charlotte Bobcats. We clicked the moment I met her (Brittney, I am looking forward to one day traveling with you to Dubai!). Though she is more than 7,000 miles away from home she has achieved so much as a young woman. Brittney graduated from the top 10 percent of her class at Virginia Tech; an accomplishment I value greatly!

Along with Miss Teen USA, the Atlantis Resort will have another exciting event going on. Have you heard about the Miss Teen USA Fantasy Camp? Below are some of the main details:

July 19-25, 2010 at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort located in Nassau, Bahamas
Open to all girls between the ages of 12 and 17
Camp Counselors are current and past State & National Titleholders
Access and Interviews with members of the Miss Universe Organization
Girl Talk with Miss Teen USA 2009, Stormi Henley
On location Photo Session with Miss Universe Photographers
Hair, Make-up and Wardrobe Tips
Receive a La Casa Hermosa Swag Bag of Style
Receive a La Casa Hermosa exclusive cocktail dress designed by Sherri Hill
Enjoy a Spa Party
Runway and Choreography Session
Dolphin Interaction

For more information, you can email fantasycamp@atlantis.com

To book, call 888-208-6872

www.missteenusa.com can also direct you to the official Teen USA Fantasy Camp page.

I am pleased to share with you the latest from the Miss Universe Organization. Below is the official press release regarding Miss Universe 2010:

NEW YORK, N.Y., – May 25, 2010 – NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today the 2010 Miss Universe® Pageant will air live on NBC and Telemundo, Monday, August 23 (8-10 p.m. ET) from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas is so fabulous, we had to come back again for the Miss Universe pageant,” said Paula M. Shugart. “The world will be watching as women from all around the globe descend on Mandalay Bay to compete for the crown and the title!”

“Las Vegas was built to host special events and attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year,” said Cathy Tull, Senior Vice President of Marketing at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “We are delighted to host the 2010 Miss Universe® Pageant and look forward to showcasing the destination to our guests and the television viewers that will be joining us for this global event.”

“We are thrilled that Mandalay Bay and Las Vegas have been selected to host Miss Universe in August,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE. “The Mandalay Bay team, and the larger MGM MIRAGE family, stands ready to deliver a stellar event for all of the participants and for the worldwide audience.”

Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast. She has spent her reign traveling all over the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research and legislation. The woman crowned Miss Universe 2010 will continue to do the same.

Each contestant, representing over 80 countries around the world, will compete in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Worldwide distribution of the competition has topped over 190 countries in past years.

Donald J. Trump will again serve as executive producer for Miss Universe.

The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is the Official Host Hotel of the 2010 Miss Universe® competition.