Miss USA 2015 WATCH LIVE: See The Pageant Online For Free [VIDEO]
There's an old adage in the entertainment business: The show must go on.
And that's exactly what happening down in Baton Rouge tonight. It's where the 63rd annual Miss USA Pageant is being held (at the Baton Rouge River Center to be precise) and it's been a long few weeks in the run up to the big night.
For those unaware (i.e. you've been stranded on a remote island for the past 26 days), the pageant has...well, hit a few snags. It all started when the owner of the Miss USA Organization, Donald Trump, announced his candidacy for president on June 16. Ordinarily, that wouldn't be so much a big deal. Trump has flirted with running for commander-in-chief before. But this time, Trump's campaign kick-off speech was a little bit out of left field--taking a stance against illegal immigration with some seriously controversial comments about undocumented immigrants (specifically Mexicans).
In response to the controversy of Trump's speech, longtime Miss USA broadcasters NBC and Univision both ended their relationships with the pageant. The pageant's scheduled hosts, Cheryl Burke and Thomas Roberts, both then bowed out (along with their Univision counterparts) AND then the panel of judges, which included Miss Universe winner Zuleyka Rivera and E! News host Terrence Jenkins) quit as well, along with several big name performers who were set to take the stage.
But then cable channel Reelz stepped in to broadcast the pageant and organizers were able to bring on Todd Newton and Alex Wehrley as replacement co-hosts, as well as fill out the judges' table at the last minute.
Of course, that doesn't mean that the show isn't out of the woods just yet. It's been reported that eight of the 50 contestants are latina. The 2014 Miss USA winner, Nia Sanchez, who by tradition crowns her successor, is also of latin heritage. Add in the heated responses to Trump's comments and live TV factor and things could get interesting.
Watch The 2015 Miss USA Pageant Live Online Or Via Mobile Device
Viewers who want to tune in without a TV have a couple different options. If you have a cable or satellite account with a Reelz subscription (it's included in most packages), then you can head over to Reelz.com and log in to watch a live stream.
If you want don't have a cable/satellite account or you do but not one with Reelz, you can still live stream the pageant for free on the Miss USA's official YouTube page...which we've embedded below.
For a more immersive feel, fans can download the Miss USA 720 Experience App, which offers both on-stage and behind-the-scenes views of the event. It's available for both Apple and Android devices.
The 2015 Miss USA Pageant airs live at 8 p.m. EDT/ 7 p.m. CDT today, July 12.
