MISS TEEN USA 2008® COMPETITION TO BE HELD AT
ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND RESORT
 IN THE BAHAMAS

NEW YORK (August 6, 2008) - Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today the 26th Annual Miss Teen USA® competition will be held at, Atlantis Paradise Island resort, in the Bahamas, the most popular resort on Paradise Island, on August 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm.

Atlantis is set on one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches and surrounded by the world’s largest open-air marine habitat.  A favorite destination for teens, Atlantis offers a YSPA program, with teen-specific treatments at our luxurious Mandra spa and the Club Rush nightclub – teens only – no adults allowed!   Atlantis also has thrilling water slides, a dolphin education and interaction center, world-class dining and significant meeting and ballroom space, all of which contributed to the Miss Universe Organization choosing to host this esteemed event outside of the United States for the first time in the pageant’s history.

“The 2008 Miss Teen USA® pageant will bring 51 young women from the United States to the Islands of the Bahamas. Atlantis is truly a perfect location for an event of this magnitude with its tropical atmosphere and many amenities that cater to teens and their families, including the trendy teen hangout, Club Rush,” said Shugart.

"Atlantis has actively worked to build a strong relationship with the Miss Universe Organization - a relationship that has proven to be extremely beneficial to both of our brands in addition to the benefits it brings to our guests and their representatives.  We have welcomed many of their pageant winners to our resort and entertainment venues over the past year and are excited to be hosting the 2008 Miss Teen USA pageant.  We are looking forward to sharing Bahamian hospitality and culture with these young ladies and their families.” explains George Markantonis, President/ Managing Director of Kerzner International Bahamas, who is responsible for coordinating the merge of Miss Teen USA® and Atlantis for this glamorous event.

Miss Teen USA® 2007, Hilary Cruz, will crown this year’s winner at the conclusion of the 2-hour event. Cruz has spent her reign building relationships with organizations committed to education and action such as Best Buddies and Girl Talk.

Each contestant from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will arrive at the Atlantis in a competitive manner poised and ready to compete for the title of Miss Teen USA. The young women will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The show will conclude with one young woman officially being crowned at the Atlantis as Miss Teen USA® 2008.

About Atlantis, Paradise Island Resort, The Bahamas
Atlantis, Paradise Island is the flagship resort of Kerzner International. This unique, ocean-themed destination features a variety of accommodations, all built around a 97-acre waterscape. Atlantis unveiled AQUAVENTURE, a non-stop water experience. The Cove Atlantis, a 600-room resort, features oversized rooms with a step down living space, spectacular designs by acclaimed interior architects Jeffrey Beers and David Rockwell, unprecedented services and amenities, private all-adult and family pools, lavish cabanas and breathtaking views of the ocean.  Atlantis is also known as THE culinary destination in The Caribbean with a collection of restaurants from world-renowned chefs including Nobu Matsuhisa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Bobby Flay and Angelo Elia. The resort boasts an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops and the largest conference center, meeting and convention facilities in The Caribbean.

About Miss Teen USA
The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Miss Teen USA spends her year building relationships with organizations devoted to education and action, such as Best Buddies, Girl Talk, Sparrow Clubs and Project Sunshine. For further information, please log on to www.missteenusa.com.



MEDIA CONTACTS
The Miss Universe Organization                                   
Lark-Marie Antón, Esther Swan                                                           
(212) 373-4982, (212) 373-4870                                                                                   
lanton@missuniverse.com, eswan@missuniverse.com

Kerzner International
Jennifer Glaisek, Meagan McCutcheon
(212) 569-5190, (212) 659-5218
Jennifer.Glaisek@kerzner.com, Meagan.McCutcheon@kerzner.com

Rubenstein Public Relations
Dara Busch
(212) 843-8079
dbusch@rubensteinpr.com