Miss Universe 2012: Contestants Shine in Swimsuit Round [SLIDESHOW]

The Miss Universe 2012 contestants turned on the heat during the Swimsuit competition in the pageant's preliminary rounds. The 89 contestants from around the world showed sculpted bodies in sexy Kooey Australia swimwear, as the young women competed for a place in the final 16 for the televised 19 December finale. The contestants also took part in a swimwear photo shoot earlier in the contest.

Miss Great Britain 2012, 21-year-old Holly Hale from Swansea, continued to display an impressive level of confidence and style, walking the catwalk in a blue bikini. Hale was equally graceful and elegant in the Evening Gown competition.

The 61st annual Miss Universe pageant will be broadcast live from Planet Hollywood on 19 December at 8pm ET (2am GMT) via NBC to approximately 190 countries. Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes of Angola, will crown the successor at the end of the two-hour television special. The big show will be hosted by Andy Cohen (the host of Bravo's Watch What Happens Live) and Giuliana Rancic, a co-anchor on E! News.

Among the contest's judges are reality-television personalities Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef, and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills participant Lisa Vanderpump. Also present will be photographer Nigel Barker, celebrity stylist Brad Goreski, singer CeeLo Green and San Francisco Giants MVP Pablo Sandoval. The judges will be led by pageant owner Donald Trump at the event.

The show will also feature musical performances by Grammy-award winning group Train and Australian singer Timomatic.

Meanwhile, fans can check out the Miss Universe YouTube channel, for behind the scenes glimpses, featuring Miss Philippines 2011 winner Shamcey Supsup.

Click Start to see the Miss Universe 2012 contestants in sexy swimwear