John O'Hurley Dances on Stage as Host of the 29th Annual Mrs. America Competition September 7th in Palm Springs

Former Mrs. District of Columbia, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth (The Apprentice) to serve as special correspondent

Competition to be broadcast on WE: Women's Entertainment Wednesday, September 14th 8:00pm ET

JERICHO, N.Y., Aug. 24 -- America's favorite ballroom dancer, John O'Hurley, will dust off his tux once again to host the 29th Annual Mrs. America competition, September 7th at 8:00pm PT in Palm Springs, CA. Helping O'Hurley get the backstage dish on all 51 contestants will be Apprentice alum and former Mrs. District of Columbia, Omarosa Manigault- Stallworth. WE: Women's Entertainment will broadcast the competition Wednesday, September 14th at 8pm & 10pm ET (5 & 8pm PT).

The delegates, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, will converge on the world-famous Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Racquet Club for two weeks of rehearsals and preliminary competitions, leading up to the September 7th event. Judging the 51 ladies will be a diverse panel including: actress Connie Stevens; Jessica Lynch, the first POW rescued from the Iraqi war; swimwear designer Carol Wior; motivational speaker Jim Walkow; and Dr. John Mahlmann, Executive Director, The National Anthem Project.

In celebration of the 65 million married women of America, the "Mrs. America" Organization spotlights some of the most accomplished, youthful, contemporary, poised, articulate and attractive married women -- "America's greatest natural resource!" Judging will be based on interviews, evening gown and swimwear competitions. As a special segment, the contestants will appear in a unique costume symbolic of their home state.

This year's event returns to the Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Racquet Club, whose beautiful poolside vistas provide the perfect backdrop for this spectacular black-tie event. Ladies competing for the title of Mrs. America 2005 include a city mayor, U.S. Defense Department consultant and professional ice skater.

Reigning "Mrs. America" Julie Templeton, a 31-year-old trial attorney in Alabama, will appear along with "Mrs. World" 2005 Sima Bakhar of Israel at this year's event. The newly crowned "Mrs. America" 2005 will compete in the upcoming "Mrs. World" 2006 competition in March 2006, which will also be televised nationwide on WE: Women's Entertainment. The Mrs. America and Mrs. World TV Specials are also seen around the world at U.S. Military installations, Embassies, Consulates and the ships at sea via AFN.

"We are very pleased to have a new television home for Mrs. America and look forward to working with WE on this year's broadcast," said David Marmel, President and Founder of the Mrs. America Organization.

David Marmel started Mrs. America in 1977 as the first and foremost competition for married women in America. Mrs. America is a production of Marmel Entertainment. For more information, please visit http://www.mrsamerica.com.

WE: Women's Entertainment is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series "Bridezillas," unique movie packages like "Three Men and A Chick Flick," topical specials and its public affairs initiative, WE Empowers Women; the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE: Women's Entertainment is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 55 million homes.

TICKET INFORMATION

The preliminary competition and final event are open to the public. Tickets are available by contacting the Mrs. America Office (310) 829-9902 or via e-mail: info@mrsamerica.com. Hotel reservations can be made by contacting the Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Racquet Club at 1-800-444-8311, the Official Palm Springs Visitor Information and Hotel Reservation Center at 1-800-347-7746 or by visiting the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism Website: http://www.palm-springs.org.

SOURCE WE: Women's Entertainment
Web Site: http://www.mrsamerica.com http://www.palm-springs.org