Miss USA hopefuls take the stage for pageant telecast from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas

Miss USA hopefuls take stage in pageant from Vegas

LAS VEGAS — It’ll be out of the boudoir and into the bright lights when 51 beauty queens take the stage in Las Vegas for the 2010 Miss USA pageant title. The Sunday night competition from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino features contestants from 50 states and the District of Columbia competing in gowns and swimsuits before a panel of seven judges.

Contestants have already drawn attention for sultry poses in pageant lingerie photos posted online.

This year’s winner will replace Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton, and compete in the Miss Universe pageant.

Celebrity chef Curtis Stone and NBC correspondent Natalie Morales host the telecast live at 7 p.m. on NBC. The network owns the pageant with real estate mogul Donald Trump.

The competition is not affiliated with the Miss America pageant.