MISS USA 2009 -- Pictured: Jessi Pierson, Miss West Virginia USA 2009, of Milton, reacts to winning the MISS PHOTOGENIC Award during the LIVE NBC broadcast of the MISS USA 2009 competition from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts, in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19th, 2009. -- Photo by: Darren Decker/HO/MISS Universe L.P., LLLP

Judging by the photo shoot, The Miss USA Pageant is getting a facelift. The contestants posed in bras, panties and sexy hose…and the pageant was easily a week away at that point. Sure the pics were suggestive, but celebrity Chef Curtis Stone, who is hosting the event, thinks it’s about time.

“I think Miss USA has got to live in the 21st century,” Curtis explains asking the question, “Should we have never evolved? Should the pageant be what it was 59 years ago or should it be what it was 10 years ago or should it be what it should be like today?”

Still the pictures are overtly sexual and the pageant has taking some knocks for it, which Stone tells HollywoodOutbreak.com was blown out of proportion.

“The girls were given a choice,” he points out. “Some of them were more comfortable in shirts. Some were more comfortable in suspenders and high heels. It was totally up to them and from speaking with the girls they were all really excited about the shoot and very proud of the photographs. Many of them have them on their Facebook already. I think it was really tastefully done.”

And the Chef looking forward to his hosting duties. As a native of Australia, he believes our Miss USA Pageant is an example of what makes this country so special.

“I think I’m America’s biggest advocate,” he begins. “People always ask me what the American people are like and my answer today is always the same. You cannot classify Americans under one umbrella. It’s such a big country and it’s so diverse. The people here are different cultures depending on what state and what city you’re in and that really is the United States of America. You don’t have a policy of multiculturalism, you have a policy of integration. No matter what your background you’re American. I think it’s something America should really be proud of.”

The 2010 Miss USA Pageant airs tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.