SUSIE CASTILLO ("HOUSE OF PAYNE," MTV'S "TRL") JOINS MICHAEL FLATLEY AS CO-HOST OF NBC'S NEW INTERNATIONAL DANCE COMPETITION SERIES 'SUPERSTARS OF DANCE' FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS NIGEL LYTHGOE AND SIMON FULLER

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - December 10, 2008 - Actress and host Susie Castillo ("House of Payne," "TRL") joins host Michael Flatley ("Lord of the Dance") as co-host of NBC's new international dance competition series "Superstars of Dance," which premieres Sunday, January 4 (9-11 p.m. ET), from executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, two of the masterminds behind "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance."

With a strong presence and personality, Castillo is quickly emerging as one of television's most recognizable faces. Castillo is well-known for hosting MTV's "TRL" and "Big Ten." She also hosted the 2005 Miss Teen USA Pageant on NBC. In 2003, she became the third Latina ever to be crowned Miss USA, prompting People en Espanol to name her one of the "25 Most Beautiful People." Castillo currently appears on the new season of Tyler Perry's popular sitcom "House of Payne." She also recently became the new brand ambassador for the fashion line Charlotte Russe, and she is currently a spokesperson for Neutrogena. In summer 2008, Castillo published her first book through Penguin, titled "Confidence is Queen."

"Superstars of Dance" is a breathtaking international dance competition featuring countries from across the globe including Argentina, Australia, China, India, Ireland, Russia, South Africa and the United States. Each country will showcase dance genres unique to their nation such as the Shaolin Monks from China, Russian Cossack dancers and Bhangra dancers from India.

Equal parts sporting event, rock concert and artistic exhibition, the series is poised to become one the greatest spectacles of dance performance ever seen on television. Eight countries will participate in the competition with each team comprised of two soloists, one duo and one larger group. Viewers will get to know the competitors and the coaches through the trials and tribulations, both behind-the-scenes and on the stage. The stakes are high for these artists, as they are not only representing themselves, but also their dance form and their entire nation.

"Superstars of Dance" is the first production from Big Red 2 Entertainment. Big Red 2 Entertainment is the new production entity formed by Nigel Lythgoe ("American Idol," "So You Think You Can Dance") and Simon Fuller ("American Idol," "So You Think You Can Dance"). Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller serve as executive producers on "Superstars of Dance."