Miss USA Pageant Finds New Hosts for Telecast Sunday
Pageant has had to scramble after owner Donald Trump's controversial remarks.
— -- Just days before the Miss USA Pageant is scheduled to be televised, new hosts have been announced to take the place of the contest's original emcees, who dropped out amid controversial remarks by pageant part-owner Donald Trump.
Game show host Todd Newton and former Miss Wisconsin USA Alex Wehrley will share hosting duties, while OK! TV's Julie Alexandria will provide commentary from back stage, according to The Associated Press.
The pageant has been scrambling to replace some of its hosts, presenters and performers, who bailed after Trump, a co-owner of pageant producer Miss Universe, described Mexican immigrants as rapists and people who bring drugs and crime to the United States.
Original hosts Thomas Roberts and Cheryl Burke resigned shortly after.
"In light of the recent statements made by Donald Trump and the subsequent decision by NBC to cut ties with Mr. Trump, I cannot in good conscience move forward with participating in this year’s Miss USA Pageant as its co-host," Burke, 31, wrote on Facebook last week.
A third host, Jeannie Mai, initially vowed to remain as a co-host of the program, but Tuesday she announced that she, too, would be stepping down.
"At the time I made my decision to remain part of the Miss USA pageant, I was under the impression that Mr. Trump would no longer be involved in the production of the show in any capacity whatsoever," she wrote on Instagram Monday.
"In addition, given Mr. Trump's ongoing antics, including his most recent episode today with the current Miss Universe," she continued, "it is clear that Mr. Trump's actions have and will continue to distract focus away from the real stars of the show -- the women involved in the pageant."
NBC has also cut ties with the pageant, prompting Reelz network to come to the rescue and broadcast the event Sunday night.