55th ANNUAL MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT TO BE BROADCAST ON NBC LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES SUNDAY, JULY 23

Miss Universe Competition Returns to the United States for the First Time in Eight Years

BURBANK, Calif. -- April 12, 2006 -- NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization, announced today that Los Angeles, California will host the 55th Annual Miss Universe Competition. The extravagant show will air live from the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, July 23 (9-11 p.m. ET) on NBC. This is the first time since 1998 (Honolulu, Hawaii) that the United States will be the host country.

"We are excited to bring the pageant to Los Angeles this year," said Curt Sharp, Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC Entertainment. "Broadcasting this international event from the entertainment capital of the world will add splash to an already spectacular show. Los Angeles provides not only a fantastic backdrop for the two-week event, it also offers great promotional opportunities for the Organization, the Network and telecast partners like Telemundo, who provide pre-show coverage of the event for their viewers."

"The Shrine Auditorium is the perfect place for the 2006 Miss Universe Competition," said Shugart. "We spent the last eight years taking the show around the globe and now it is our chance to return to the U.S. and show all of our international contestants, along with their friends and families, one of the greatest cities in the world: Los Angeles."

Toronto, Canada native, Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005 - travels the nation as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. She will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast. Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.

Donald J. Trump, Executive Producer and The Gurin Company will again produce Miss Universe 2006.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA competitions, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC partnership. Utilizing its global 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 Global Health Council, Gods Love We Deliver and the United Nations Population Fund's Face-to-Face Campaign, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.