英语文摘:83 global beauty queens vying for Miss Universe title

BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhuanet) --Eighty-three beauty queens from six continents are competing for Miss Universe 2010 title at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

They are going to show off swimsuits, evening gowns and quick-thinking interview skills to impress a panel of celebrity judges including 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek and actress Jane Seymour.

The winner will replace Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez and receive a package of prizes including an undisclosed salary, a luxury New York apartment with living expenses, a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy with housing after her reign, plus jewelry, clothes and shoes fit for a beauty champion.

Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps (from L to R), Miss Belgium Cilou Annys, Miss Switzerland Linda Faeh, and Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul pose in their swimsuits during a Miss Universe 2010 event in Las Vegas, Nevada August 16, 2010. The Miss Universe 2010 final will be on August 23, 2010.

Another two titles "Miss Photogenic Universe" and "Miss Congeniality Universe" are going to be picked separately by online voters and contestants themselves. Each award comes with a 1,000 U.S. dollars cash prize.

The headline-grabbing pageant hosted by rocker Bret Michaels and NBC correspondent Natalie Morales will air live on NBC and Telemundo and be distributed in some 190 countries and territories.