HotNews

Is it possible for a beauty pageant to be too sexy?

That’s the question directed at Miss Universe these days, as the organization has posed most of its 2010 contestants in almost nothing but body paint for a new set of promotional images.

Miss USA, Rima Fakih, and Miss Trinidad and Tobago, LaToya Woods, show off these looks in the examples below:

Some think these photos go too far.

“It’s alarming that this has been turned into a Playboy-esque masquerade,” Angie Meyer, a former pageant employee, told Fox News. “By implementing topless photos as part of the pageant process, they’re putting applicants in an extremely compromising position.”

As opposed to the bathing suit and evening gown segments of the event, which place contestants in uncompromising positions and are not based on appearances?

Responded Lark-Marie Anton, vice president of marketing and public relations for the organization, to the charges of inappropriateness:

“The contestants who compete at Miss Universe are diverse, as they represent more than 82 countries around the globe. Many of their cultures embrace nudity… We feel the images captured are Fashionable and cutting edge!”

The Miss Universe pageant airs on August 23. Do you think these pictures cross a line?

Earlier today, Wyclef Jean officially kicked off his campaign to be the next President of Haiti.

But the singer already faces opposition from an Oscar winner and well-known activist in the region: Sean Penn.

Asked by Larry King for his take on Jean’s political ambitions, Penn cited allegations that Wyclef mishandled $400,000 in earthquake-relief donations and said the artist has been absent from his native country.

“This is somebody who’s going to receive an enormous amount of support from the United States, and I have to say I’m very suspicious of it,” said Penn, who runs a 55,000-person tent camp via his J/P Haitian Relief Organization, adding:

“I’m not accusing Wyclef Jean of being an opportunist; I don’t know the man. One of the reasons I don’t know very much about Wyclef Jean is that I haven’t seen or heard anything of him in these last six months that I’ve been in Haiti.”

Wyclef didn’t respond by claiming he’s been active in the nation itself, but instead says he’s perfect for the position because he understands “the psychology of the Haitian people.”

“What I want Sean Penn to know is, if I was not in Haiti after [former president] Jean-Bertrand Aristide left, if I did not create [my charity] Yéle Haiti to start stopping the violence, even him coming to Haiti would not have been possible today,” replied the Grammy-winning musician.

Hopefully, these two will sit down at some point and hash out their points of view.

Earlier today, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker announced his verdict regarding Prop 8, the controversial ballot proposition that was passed in November 2008 and banned gay marriage in California.

Judge Walked deemed the amendment a violation of the Constitution’s equal protection clause under the 14th Amendment and overturned it. THG’s reaction to this news?

Hooray! There’s no practical argument against the harmless institution of gay marriage, and every reason to treat homosexuals the same as heterosexuals. As for the reaction in Hollywood, an outspoken community when it came to this issues? Here are a handful of responses:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: “This decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves.”

Ellen DeGeneres: “Equality won!”

Portia de Rossi: “I am ecstatic that proposition 8 has been overturned in the state of California. This is an incredibly exciting and historical day and a big step towards equal rights for all.”

Lance Bass: “Congrats on the overturning of Prop 8!!!!”

Pink: “It’s a good day!”

Adam Lambert: it’s time to “throw glitter on this barn!

Ricky Martin: “YEAHHHHH!!!!! PROP8UNCONSTITUTIONAL MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!!!”

Kelly Osbourne: “so happy over the news on prop8 its about time!”

Kim Kardashian: “Prop 8 was struck down! This news is amazing!!!! Its about time! Congrats to everyone!”

Shanna Moakler: “Tonight we celebrate! EQUALITY and LOVE for all! This is so much bigger then [sic] marriage, it’s about wisdom, compassion and knowing we CAN be heard, action DOES make a difference!”

Samantha Ronson: “Song Of The Day: Let’s Get Married- Jagged Edge.”

Olivia Munn: “Prop 8 Overturned!!! Equal rights for everyone! Nice to be out of the 1950s…”

Seth Myers: “Prop 8 was always my least favorite Prop. Favorite Prop: Joe.”

“It’s over. I broke up with him.” – Bristol Palin on Levi Johnston

After shocking most observers, her own family included, by getting back together with the father of her 19-month-old son, the daughter of former GOP V.P. candidate Sarah Palin confirms that she’s broken it off with her man again.

They are now 0-for-2 at the whole engagement thing.

Bristol Palin says that the relationship soured on July 14, the very same day they announced their marriage intentions to the world via Us Weekly.

As luck would have it, that was the day she learned:

• That he might have fathered a baby with Lanesia Garcia (he didn’t)
• That Levi may also have been putting it to Briana Plum (unclear)

BRIEFLY HAPPY TIMES: Failed engagements of 2010 and 2008, respectively.

In any case, Palin tearfully told People about feeling heartbroken, humiliated and trapped while Levi acted cool. “There was no remorse,” she says.

“The final straw was him flying to Hollywood for what he told me was to see some hunting show but come to find out it was that music video mocking my family,” she says. “He’s just obsessed with the limelight and I got played.”

That will do it every time. Bristol Palin has already moved back into her parents’ home in Alaska. For her part, Sarah Palin said in a statement:

“I wish for Bristol to be able to move forward in life with her same forgiving, gracious, optimistic spirit, but from henceforth she’ll know to trust but verify. Bristol is strong, she is independent, and she knows what is right for her son.”

Bristol says she’s not giving up hope of two-parent home for Tripp … but this is most likely the last chance she’ll give that jackass Levi.

“I have faith that I’ll find it. I know I need a man who’s going to be completely honest with me, someone who loves me and Tripp and wants to be with him all the time. I also want someone who has religious beliefs and a good family.”

Ouch, that’s gotta hurt if you’re the son of a drug dealer.

Levi may still be in denial over the whole thing, according to reports. TMZ claims Levi thinks the whole thing is nothing but a big “misunderstanding.”

According to Levi’s manager, Tank Jones, Bristol doesn’t have her story straight and Levi believes that the two simply broke up over “misinformation.”

Jones says Levi is definitely not the father of an illegitimate baby (well, a second one) and that he did not shoot a music video “mocking” the Palins.

As for their 19-month-old son Tripp, Tank says that Levi Johnston will continue to co-parent with Bristol and “take care” of his financial obligations.

Tank also notes that Levi is “not happy” about the split  and tells us he wouldn’t be surprised if the two eventually got back together in the future.

Don’t hold your breath, dog.