In the midst of his multi-month break from PASSIONS, Galen Gering (Luis) will be co-hosting this year's Miss Teen USA pageant on August 8 with MTV VJ and 2003 Miss USA Susie Castillo.

While he's used to be in front of the cameras, Gering's not used to being in front of such a huge crowd. "But I don't think I'm going to be that nervous when it goes on, because all the girls are going to be there, and they're going to be so nervous themselves. So I'm just going to try and think about what they must be going through," explains Gering. "As the host, I really have nothing to lose. It's going to be a fun experience. I'm really looking forward to it."

This year's pageant is being held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a place Gering's never been to before, which is another plus for the avid traveler — if only it were a different time of the year. "It's going to be a sweltering hot. In August, it's basically a swamp." Although, much like the home audience, Gering may very well become distracted by another kind of "heat" — from all the "hot" contestants. "It'll be fun. Hosting a live telecast, I'm definitely like thinking on my feet. But there's a TelePrompTer and I've got my co-host — and they can always cut to one of 51 beautiful girls. What's the worst thing that can happen?!" Make that 52: Gering's PASSIONS co-star, Danica Stewart (Jessica) will also be there, as one of the judges.

The 23rd annual Miss Teen USA pageant airs live on August 8 at 9 p.m. EDT on NBC. Check your local listings.