AARON CARTER AND KIMBERLEY LOCKE TO PERFORM ON NBC'S MISS TEEN USA -- LIVE FROM BATON ROUGE, LOUISANA AUGUST 8, 9-11PM ET

"PASSIONS" STAR GALEN GERING TO CO-HOST WITH MTV VJ AND FORMER MISS USA, SUSIE CASTILLO

NEW YORK -- July 18, 2005 -- Pop sensation Aaron Carter and "American Idol's" Kimberley Locke are slated to perform at the 23rd Annual Miss Teen USA competition broadcast live on NBC from the Baton Rouge River Center Arena in Louisiana on August 8, 9-11pm ET. Galen Gering, hunky Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald on NBC's "Passions" and Susie Castillo, MTV VJ and former Miss USA will host the pageant.

Shelley Hennig, the current Miss Teen USA 2004, spent her year traveling the nation as an advocate for teen issues, speaking to teenagers about the dangers of drinking and driving and other pressures they face today. Hennig culminates her whirlwind year with the crowning of her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast in her hometown of Baton Rouge. Each contestant from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: Evening Gown, Swimsuit and Interview.

"It will be a hot summer night in Baton Rouge with the added sizzle of Aaron Carter, Kimberley Locke, Galen Gering and Susie Castillo," said Curt Sharp, Vice President of Alternative Programming and Specials for NBC. "Miss Teen USA is the ultimate summer diversion featuring 51 of the most beautiful young women in the country."

"Louisiana's Capital City of Baton Rouge is the perfect home for Miss Teen USA 2005, as reigning Miss Teen USA Shelley Hennig is a Louisiana native. Shelley is looking forward to hosting the 51 contestants in her home state for three weeks worth of events," says Paula Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization. "MTV VJ and Miss USA 2003, Susie Castillo, is set to co-host with "Passions" Heartthrob Galen Gering. Susie and Galen both have such fun personalities; I am sure they will make a great on-air combo."

The 75 square miles that make up the city of Baton Rouge is home to more than 230,000 residents. From the bustling campus of Louisiana State University, home to the LSU Tigers, to countless restaurants serving the country's best Cajun food, to some of the best Jazz Music in the world, Baton Rouge has a plethora of modern attractions. For the history buffs, the city boasts the famed Old State Capitol and Old Governor's Mansion as well as some of the country's oldest and most beautiful plantations along the Mississippi River.

"Not only will this pageant and its surrounding events have a tremendous economic impact on Baton Rouge, but the primetime television coverage will showcase our city to millions of viewers around the world," said Kip Holden, East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President. "Baton Rouge is truly becoming one of America's great cities, and the Miss Teen USA competition gives us the opportunity to show the world what we have to offer."

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA Competitions, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal partnership. "Miss Teen USA - 2005" is executive produced by Donald Trump and Phil Gurin. By forging relationships with organizations committed to education and action, such as Sparrow Clubs, SHiNE (Seeking Harmony in Neighborhoods Everyday) and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Miss Teen USA is dedicated to educating teenagers today.