Laura Bell Bundy to Judge Miss America Pageant

Broadway alum and Tony Award nominee Laura Bell Bundy, originator of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, will help judge the 2009 Miss America Pageant, which will crown its new reigning queen on January 24. The pageant will be broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas exclusively on TLC.

Bundy joins denim designer Paige Adams-Geller, activist and former Miss America Nicole Johnson, Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones, casting executive Beth Klein, entertainment reporter Jim Moret and celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves in judging the iconic competition. Originated in 1921, the pageant is one of the largest providers of scholarship money in the world and the largest provider of college scholarships for women in the United States.

In addition to Blonde, Bundy has appeared on Broadway in Hairspray and Wicked. She originated the role of Tina Denmark in Ruthless, The Musical!, for which she received Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Actress. Bundy also orginated the role of Sherrie Christian in the musical Rock of Ages' Los Angeles debut. Bundy's TV credits include Modern Men, Cold Case, Veronica Mars, Strangers with Candy and Guiding Light. Film credits include Dreamgirls, Jumanji, Life with Mikey and The Adventures of Huck Finn.

Bundy starred in Legally Blonde alongside Miss America 1998 Kate Shindle.