"ACCESS HOLLYWOOD'S" SHAUN ROBINSON AND MTV'S DAMIEN FAHEY TO HOST MISS TEEN USA 2006, LIVE FROM PALM SPRINGS, CA ON NBC, TUESDAY, AUGUST 15TH, 8-10 PM ET/DELAYED PT

Ashley Parker Angel, JoJo and Lucas Grabeel from "High School Musical" Set to Perform

PALM SPRINGS, August 7, 2006 - "Access Hollywood's" popular correspondent Shaun Robinson will take the stage alongside TRL host Damien Fahey, to host MISS TEEN USA® 2006, live from Palm Springs, California on August 15th, 2006. The popular summer event returns to Palm Springs after taking the competition to Baton Rouge, LA in 2005. Former "O-Town" member Ashley Parker Angel, pop star JoJo and Lucas Grabeel of the hit Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical" will all perform during the live telecast.

The Miss Teen USA title proved to be a major stepping stone in launching the careers of several former titleholders including: Vanessa Minnillo, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras and Kelly Hu, to name a few. Former Miss Teen USA contestants include Access Hollywood and Today Show correspondent Maria Menounos and MTV's TRL host and former Miss USA, Susie Castillo.

The current Miss Teen USA, Allie LaForce, is a self-proclaimed "tomboy" from Vermilion, OH. In addition to being first in her class, academically, Allie is also on the varsity basketball, softball and volleyball teams at her high school and hopes to parlay her love of sports and entertainment into a career as a sportscaster. She will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast. Each contestant from 50 states and the District of Columbia will compete in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.

"My year as Miss Teen USA has helped me grow beyond any of my expectations," says LaForce. "I have met amazing people, been all over the US and to amazing countries around the world, and have tried hard to be the best role model for teens that I could be."

Some of the highlights of LaForce's reign included a 90-mile charity bike ride on behalf of the Best Buddies organization, founding a branch of the "Sparrows Club" at her high school, and helping raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal partnership. Miss Teen USA spends her year building relationships with organizations committed to education and action, such as Best Buddies, Do Something, Sparrow Clubs, D.A.R.E. and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).

MEDIA CONTACTS:
The Miss Universe Organization
Lark-Marie Anton / Esther Swan / Erin Cooney
(212) 373-4999
lanton@missuniverse.com
eswan@missuniverse.com
ecooney@missuniverse.com

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