HispanicBusiness

NEW YORK, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- It was announced today that Latin pop crossover Chayanne will perform in front of billions of viewers at the 52nd annual Miss Universe competition live from Panama City, Panama on the NBC Television Network (9 pm ET/delayed PT) on June 3, 2003. As previously announced, Billy Bush, Access Hollywood correspondent, and actress and model Daisy Fuentes will host the MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2003 competition, and the all-female string quartet, bond; is also set to perform.

"Coming on the heels of his recent sweep at the Latin Billboard Awards, the timing couldn't be better for Chayanne to appear on Miss Universe," said Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization. She added, "His high-energy performances are legendary, and we know he will be well received by our worldwide television audience, as well as the home audience here in Panama."

Justine Pasek, Miss UNIVERSE 2002 and Panama native, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 200 million. Each contestant, from around the world, will be judged in three categories, including swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE(R), MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) competitions, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC partnership. Utilizing its global grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS Awareness and women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Global Health Council, Gods Love We Deliver and the United Nations Population Fund's Face-to-Face Campaign, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.

CHAYANNE

The pop music explosion of Chayanne has generated a new excitement in the Latin music industry. This singing and dancing star from Puerto Rico can arguably be considered one of the city's biggest stars. A breathtaking performer who often uses three helicopters to enter and exit his arena shows in Puerto Rico and Latin America, Chayanne is a cauldron of talent waiting to burst. With more than 49 gold and platinum albums awards to his credit since his solo debut in 1986, Chayanne, who made his major motion picture debut, "Dance With Me" with Vanessa Williams in 1998, is poised to become the newest Latin crossover success story.

BILLY BUSH

Billy Bush is the east coast correspondent for Access Hollywood, the daily entertainment newsmagazine show currently in its sixth season of providing comprehensive coverage of entertainment news and personalities on television. Bush has been with the newsmagazine since December 2001. In addition, Billy is a contributor to NBC's top rated morning news program Today.

DAISY FUENTES

From model to actress to TV host, Daisy Fuentes is a household name with viewers across the world. The first crossover VJ to appear on both the Spanish language MTV Latino and the original MTV, Fuentes has co-hosted several programs on the cable music network, including "One on One with Michael Jordan" and "Fashionably Loud". She has been a host on MTV Internacional and MTV Latino, as well as host of MTV's "House of Style".

BOND

The world's most successful, celebrated all-female quartet have made a triumphant return to America with their new album Shine, released from Decca Records/Universal Classic Group. With Haylie Ecker on first violin, Eos Chater on second violin, Tania Davis on viola and Gay-Yee Westerhoff on cello, Shine captured the #1 position on Billboard's classic crossover chart, while simultaneously entering the top half of Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart The Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Mary Hilliard McMillan, +1-212-373-4982, or Esther Swan,+1-212-373-4870, both of The Miss Universe Organization; Dara Arbeiter,+1-212-843-8079, or Brad Zeifman, +1-212-843-9285, both of Rubenstein PublicRelations for The Miss Universe Organization