Miss Universe Organization owner Donald Trump defended the recently released official photos of the 83 pageant candidates, which drew flak from critics for featuring several of the contestants in topless poses, covered only with body paint.

The media giant said he finds nothing wrong with these photos as “we are in a different age.”

“They are a little bit sexy, but I'll tell you what – everybody's watching so I have nothing against it. The Miss USA pageant and the Miss Universe pageant just got renewed for three years by NBC. The ratings have been terrific. If you look at Miss America, it's now off-network television – and we're doing better than ever, so I really have no problem with it,” Donald told “The Insider.”

Critics question the organization’s intention for the concept of the photo shoot. An article in FoxNews.com posed this query: “So is featuring naked women the only thing that can make this 58-year-old event news-worthy in 2010?”

Among those who posed topless during the Las Vegas shoot with photographer Fadil Badisha were Miss Trinidad and Tobago LaToya Woods, Miss USA Rima Fakih, Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell, and Miss Japan Maiko Itai.

LaToya posed by the Mandalay Bay poolside with her floral body paint, bikini bottom, and high heels. She kept the private part of her torso hidden with a little help from “pasties.” Meanwhile, Rima, wearing a skimpy bikini bottom, cupped her breasts and flaunted her painted back.

Rozzana, who posed with Miss Albania Angela Martini, had her side covered with zebra-ish print. She wore a scanty bikini bottom, and used her left arm to cover her breasts. Maiko, with her pinkish, lacy body paint, employed the same “strategy” as she sat straight, legs stretched.

Angie Meyer, who previously worked with the Miss Universe Organization, was appalled with the photos as it puts the candidates “in an extremely compromising position.” By making use of the topless concept, the competition has turned into a “playboy-esque masquerade,” Angie told Fox News.

“When you bring nudity into the equation, the pageant no longer becomes about the entire package of brains and beauty. Rather, the focus shifts to body image. The notion that ‘beauty’ embodies absolute physical perfection is a frightening slippery slope, and quite dangerous for young women around the world to adhere to,” Angie added.

The photo shoot also generated a “segregation” of the candidates into two categories, those willing to go topless and those who won’t, she said.

In a statement, however, the organization echoed Donald’s contention that the photos are permissible in culture, as “the contestants who compete at Miss Universe are diverse… [representing] more than 82 countries around the globe. Many of their cultures embrace nudity.”

They also maintained that the so-called “racy” photographs are “a form of artistic expression for each contestant.”

“And we respect their desire to pose topless, or not. We feel the images captured are fashionable and cutting edge!" the Miss U org added.

This is the second time this year that the organized attracted criticism. Back in May, Miss USA candidates traded swim suits and gowns and spacious landscapes for lingerie and a cozy bed for their first photo shoot.

Venus: No to topless

The Philippines’ bet to the Miss Universe pageant, Maria Venus Raj, opted not to join the flock of fellow candidates who gamely posed sans their bikini tops.

In an interview aired on “TV Patrol” last Aug. 18, Venus affirmed the organization’s statement that they were given the option to go topless or not.

“Hindi naman ako tinanong nung photographer kung gusto ko or ayaw ko, basta sinabi lang niya doon sa nagpe-paint, o lagyan siya ng gold, lagyan siya ng ganito. Hindi naman niya sinabi na o, tanggalin mo ‘yang top mo,” explained the 21-year old Bicolana beauty.

Venus donned a two-piece black bikini as she fiercely posed with golden body paint, with the façade of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino as her backdrop.

The latest Filipina pride is still lording over the other candidates in the online polls of the pageant, with an overall rating of 3.72. Her determined spirit to win the title is not just evidenced by her preparations for Miss Universe, but even in times of fun. Venus is said to have won the Chicken Wing Eating Contest held recently at the Diablos Cantina of the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.

Back in Manila, Venus’ mother Ester Bayonito shed tears of joy when she received her passport from a sponsor on Aug. 18.

“Di ako makapaniwala dahil wala naman akong balak pumunta dun dahil kulang nga sa pera. Salamat talaga sa nag-isponsor sa akin,” she told “Umagang Kay Ganda” in an interview aired on Aug. 19.

This brings Mrs. Bayonito a step closer to flying to Vegas. She hopes that she’ll be able to secure a visa in time for her to make it on the coronation night on Aug. 23 (August 24 in the Philippines).

“Kung sakaling manalo ang aking anak, salamat sa Poong Maykapal binalik ‘yung grasya sa kanya,” she said.