Miss USA 2012: 51 Sexy Contestants Compete for Beauty Crown [Photo]
One of the biggest beauty pageants is set to air tonight. Miss USA 2012 will air tonight live from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. This year's show will see 51 pageant queens from 50 states and the District of Columbia, competing for the crown. Tonight's winner will go on to represent USA in the 61st MIss Universe Pageant next year.
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In this year's pageant, viewers will be able to question the 50 contestants directly during the live broadcast. Viewers were invited send their questions via Twitter with the handle #AskMissUSA since last week - leading to one question being selected to be used during the competition. They will also be able to send in questions throughout the show tonight.
"One lucky fan's question will be read to a Top Five finalist during the interview portion," a executive producer Barry Adelman in a statement. "Live tweets will be incorporated during the swimsuit and evening gown portions, giving viewers an opportunity to follow what fans are saying in real time. Plus, we wanted to add an element of suspense by integrating social media into the final question portion. It will all come down to one contestant, one fan and 140 characters."
Online voting will also be available this year. Last year's Miss USA Winner Alyssa Campanella will be handing over her coveted crown to this year's winner.
The show will be hosted by Giuliana Rancic, co-anchor of "E!News" and Andy Cohe, from "Watch What Happens: Live".
Each contestant representing the 50 United States and the District of Columbia will compete in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.