Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010, and the Miss USA 2011 pageant contestants.

Planet Hollywood Resort rolled out the red carpet for 51 of the world’s most beautiful women today when the resort hosted the official Las Vegas welcome event for the 2011 Miss USA Pageant. The ceremony, hosted by Jeff Timmons, star of 98 Degrees and current resident guest star of Chippendales at the Rio, and the reigning Miss USA Rima Fakih helped kick-off two weeks of action-packed activities for the contestants who will reside in Las Vegas until the pageant is telecast live from Planet Hollywood on Sunday, June 19 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

Planet Hollywood Resort President David Hoenemeyer, Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Senior Vice President of Marketing Cathy Tull welcomed the contestants and officially launched the start of the Miss USA pageant. The event was the first time all 51 contestants were photographed together and served as their formal media introduction.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

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