Eight judges will have the difficult task of choosing a group of this year’s semi-finalists, as they score the contestants in the interview, swimsuit and evening gown categories.  They will choose a certain amount of delegates to be part of the Top 16.  The other amount will be chosen by Donald Trump and members of the MUO, while a 16th semi-finalist will be the winner of the popular vote.

Let’s meet this year’s preliminary judges:

Amy Sadowsky: Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Amy Sadowsky is the Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Celebrity Entertainment for Planet Hollywood International. In this role, she oversees publicity strategies for all the brands owned by Robert Earl, founder of Planet Hollywood International. Additionally, Sadowsky handles all celebrity related events for the company.

Beverly Frank: Beverly Frank is the Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Operations for 19 Entertainment, Inc., a division of CORE Media Group. Based in Los Angeles, 19 Entertainment is CORE’s production, recording, touring and artist management division, and co-producers of the television series “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”  Frank joined 19 in 2009 as General Manager and Director of US Legal.

Carlos Anaya: Carlos Anaya is the host for “MY Lifestyle Extra” on Fox News Latino. Recently recognized by The New York Times for his work as a producer and as an expert in biculturalism, Anaya is highly regarded for his work as a reporter, multimedia content producer, host and social media influencer. Anaya is the managing editor for MY Lifestyle Magazine, the first boutique publication for chic bicultural Latinos in New York.

Corinne Nicolas: Corinne Nicolas, President of Trump Models, has over 15 years’ experience in the fashion modeling industry. In 1999, she was one in a core group of model managers selected by Mr. Donald J. Trump to open his world renowned model agency, Trump Models.  The agency’s roster includes top models that are featured in magazines and campaigns around the world, as well as on the international runways.

Crystle Stewart: Crystle Stewart now stars in the new Tyler Perry sitcom “For Better or Worse” on TBS. She plays Leslie, an independent, charming real estate agent known as the peacemaker amongst her friends. “For Better or Worse” is based on Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?” films. Prior to becoming an actress, Stewart set her sights on becoming Miss USA. In 2008, she ultimately won the coveted title.

Duane Gazi: Duane Gazi has covered nearly every inch of the globe in his more than 20 years as a model scout for Trump Models. Botswana, Tokyo, Moscow and Rio de Janeiro are just a few of the far-reaching cities he has scoured in search of modeling’s next superstar. Gazi has enjoyed the challenge of keeping his finger on the modeling pulse and counts on his experience and expertise to guess what trend will next be in favor.

Jimmy Nguyen: Jimmy Nguyen is a prominent entertainment and new media lawyer, equal rights and diversity advocate, motivational speaker, media commentator and budding producer and technologist. At only age 36, he was named by Lawdragon as one of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America. In 2012, The Huffington Post listed Nguyen as one of the “Most Influential LGBT Asian Icons.”

Michael Greenwald: Michael Greenwald is the Vice President of Talent at Buchwald / Fortitude talent agency based in Los Angeles and New York City, a position he has held for 16 years. He has worked in the entertainment industry for 22 years where he began his early career in New York at “Saturday Night Live” and MTV. Greenwald started in Hollywood at Susan Smith & Associates and then moved on to the Paradigm Talent Agency where he worked with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Adrien Brody, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Scarlett Johansson.

The preliminary interviews will take place on December 11th and 12th, with the Presentation show (swimsuits and evening gowns) taking place on December 13th.