NEW YORK, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the 2009 Miss Universe telecast. During her reign, she has traveled the globe as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research and legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe will go on to do the same.
Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2009. In recent years, the pageant has been viewed before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of approximately 1 billion viewers.
Donald J. Trump and Phil Gurin will again serve as Executive Producers for MISS UNIVERSE 2009.
To purchase tickets for the telecast please visit: www.missuniverse.com or http://www.atlantis.com/promotions/missuniversetickets.aspx.
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 and Gay Men's Health Crisis. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com.
Source: The Miss Universe Organization; NBC; Rubenstein Public Relations
CONTACT: Meredith Fitzpatrick, NBC, meredith.fitzpatrick@nbcuni.com,
+1-818-840-4295; or Lark-Marie Anton, lanton@missuniverse.com,
+1-212-373-4982, or Esther Swan, eswan@missuniverse.com, +1-212-373-4870, or
Carl Althoff, calthoff@missuniverse.com, +1-212-373-4983, all of The Miss
Universe Organization; or Dara Busch, Rubenstein Public Relations,
dbusch@rubensteinpr.com, +1-212-843-8079
Web Site: http://www.missuniverse.com/
