Photos from the Rio

Our girls have been on a whirlwhind of activities and appearances! They most assuredly need your prayers and well-wishes to keep their energy up. They start rehearsals Tuesday, and from what I understand, the show will be very runway and hot/sexy. There won't be any dancing and the walking probably won't incorporate a bunch of turning. Yea! Our girls can just strut their stuff!

The Celebrity judges have been announced. The judges are: Heather Mills, contestant on season four of "Dancing With the Stars"; Rob Schneider, star of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry"; Joey Fatone, host of "The Singing Bee"; Kristian Alfonso, entrepreneur and star of NBC's "Days of our Lives"; Olympic gold-medal swimmer Amanda Beard; Christian Siriano, this season's winner of Bravo's hit show "Project Runway"; San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman; celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves; Kelly Carlson, star of "Nip/Tuck"; and Vanity Fair's celebrity journalist George Wayne.

Rock band Finger Eleven will perform their hit song "Paralyzer" live at this year's pageant. Following hitting number one on the rock and alternative charts, the song also became a crossover smash on the contemporary hit radio charts, selling over two million digital downloads and 500,000 ring tones. As previously announced, Donny and Marie Osmond will host the live telecast of the 57th Annual Miss USA Pageant from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in one of the world's most electrifying cities, Las Vegas.

ARE YOU GETTING EXCITED??????


Here are some photos from the Rio and the random Chippendale guys.

More photos!

Here are the Fadil's (in their opening number dresses) and their swimsuit shots! WOW!! Last two standing! :)

I spoke with Kimberly this afternoon; she's having so much fun. Today she was part of a group that did some video taping on a yacht (and Kimberly got to be the skipper for a little while!) and out on a golf course. She said it was so cold this morning on the lake and still cold on the golf course early this afternoon. Last night they had a fun Hawaiian themed dinner--here are a couple of pictures!

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Evening Gowns

The moment you've all been waiting for...Evening Gown Photos! Kimberly's gown is actually purple, but because the material's taffeta with a neat sheen to it, it photographs blue. Don't they both look BEAUTIFUL???? :)

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March 28th, Day 3

Today the contestants got to see the dolphins (you can do just about anything in Vegas!), this afternoon they had their official orientation and another dinner out this evening. At 6:30am they had their official swimwear photoshoot at the Planet Hollywood pool I'm amazed at how great Julia and Kimberly look at 6:30 in the morning!

They are both doing very well. I spoke with Kimberly today and she is having a really good time. She has made fast friends with Maine and Virginia, and smart girls that they are, they're sharing internet time! Kimberly will try to get me some photos when she can. In the meantime, in today's Arizona Republic there was an article on Kimberly and her sendoff party. Read it by clicking here.

Videos

They'll be up on the MISS USA site later but for now, here are links to our girls' videos! They both did a GREAT job! LOVE IT!

Arizona

Utah

Pictures!

WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS!

Here's Kimberly introducing herself to Las Vegas!

I spoke with both girls today, and they are having so much fun! The line for photos and interviews was really long for Kimberly today, but hopefully she got everything completed. Julia was fortunate to get everything done on Wednesday.

Tonight, the MISS USA contestants had dinner at Koi. Here are some photos!

If you would like to send a card, note or gift to Kimberly or Julia, please use the following address:


Kimberly Joiner MISS ARIZONA USA or Julia Bachison MISS UTAH USA
c/o MISS USA PAGEANT
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
3667 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-785-5555


They would LOVE to get encouraging messages from you! So please send those cards and letters! While flowers are a lovely idea, please keep in mind that they have very limited space in their room.



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Julia's sendoff party!

Our gorgeous Julia was sent off to MISS USA in style, thanks to the Ivy Lane Reception Center in Ogden and all of Julia's extended family and friends. We're so proud of you, Julia!!!

REGISTRATION!!!

Yes, the fun has begun, and the 51 contestants are now in Las Vegas, trying to get through all the activities of Registration!

Each young lady gets fitted for her opening number outfit (by Sherri Hill), hair/makeup, on-camera interviews for the internet, SS photo in their green "fun" ss and sarong, evening gown photo, YMI jeans/tanktop photo. The competition swimsuits by Syrup Swimwear are black and Nina is once again the shoe sponsor. Kim and Julia both LOVE their Sherri Hill opening # dresses, and the opening will once again be very "runway" with a new choreographer. The fittings/photos will continue until 10pm tonight and go again tomorrow until each contestant is finished.

Thursday and Friday they'll have their Fadil photo shoots which will be PHENOMENAL! I can't wait to get my hands on some photos to share with y'all, but for now, we'll have to wait. The girls need your prayers and love--the next few days will be very very busy!!

Britt

LAS VEGAS, BABY!

Kimberly and Julia both got to Vegas Tues, got settled in to their room and now are in the middle of registration! They will get fitted for their opening number dresses, swimsuits, shoes, get photos taken in their gowns and swimsuits, get their Fadils taken (I don't know the theme yet, but it's suposed to be FUN!), complete their on-camera interviews and get some of their sponsor gifts! It will be a very full day for them, but they should be finished with everything today; even before some of the contestants arrive!

Don't forget to post your comments here! Just click on the word "comment" after each post to leave a message.

Britt

Kimberly's send-off party!

Many thanks to El Paso Barbeque for sponsoring Kimberly's send-off party! Here is a link to a news video... Click Here.

Media coverage!

Before our young ladies head off to Las Vegas, they've been making the rounds, appearing on several radio and TV shows! Below are some links to check out AZ and UT live!

Kimberly:

Read Across America Day

Photos from KNIX

On the radio with Ben and Matt

Sonoran Living


Julia:

Fox News

In the Deseret News

More to come!!

Britt

Our new blog!

Welcome to the new blog site for Casting Crowns Productions, Inc., producers of the MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA state pageants for Arizona and Utah! I'm so excited to launch this blog right before Kimberly and Julia leave for the MISS USA Pageant in Las Vegas. Bookmark this page, as we'll have lots of photos and info on the girls during their time at MISS USA. Comments are welcome!



Britt