Miss USA contestants pose for Vegas lingerie pics

[May 12, 2010]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- These photos happened in Vegas but surely won't stay there.

Contestants in this year's Miss USA pageant stripped down to their lingerie for a racy photo shoot that's generating heated opinions on whether it's going too far in search of TV ratings.

A YouTube video of the photo shoot posted by the pageant on Monday had been viewed more than 4,600 times as of Tuesday afternoon.

Donald Trump owns the Miss Universe organization, which in turn owns the Miss USA contest. He says he has no problem with the pictures. He calls them "a little bit sexy" and is glad people will be watching.

A pageant spokeswoman calls the photos tasteful.

The pageant will be broadcast Sunday night on NBC.

[Associated Press]

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