- Font:
- +
- -
LOS ANGELES — Here comes Mario Lopez as the Miss America pageant host.
TLC and the Miss America Organization said Wednesday that the 36-year-old “Extra” host and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant will again serve as master of ceremonies for the live Jan. 30 ceremony at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Lopez previously hosted the Miss America pageant in 2007 and 2009. Mark Steines of “Entertainment Tonight” hosted the 2008 pageant.
Next year’s pageant will feature 53 contestants, including Miss District of Columbia, Miss Virgin Islands and Miss Puerto Rico, who returns after a 50-year absence from the event. As always, the women will compete in interview, swimsuit, evening gown and talent competitions for the title of Miss America.
The seven-judge panel for the 2010 competition will include radio-show host Rush Limbaugh.
Katie Stam of Indiana is the current Miss America.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
“ ”