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Luxe Life Blog • Archive for November 2008
Smashing Pumpkins offer a tween-less time at The Pearl
For the older music set and non-Jonas Brothers fans this holiday weekend of turkey, trimmings and pumpkin pies, it was the appropriately named Smashing Pumpkins who took to the stage at George Maloof’s The Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms last night. Our contributing celebrity photographer Scott Harrison was up close front and center to capture all the action, including lead singer Billy Corgan in fine fettle. With such shows as Smashing Pumpkins and Jonas Brothers and jam-packed audience turnouts ... Read more...
OMG! It’s Joe and Kevin and Nick! It’s the Jonas Brothers at MGM!
Jonas Brothers fans traveled from as far away as Florida and Texas to spend the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with their teen idols at the two back-to-back concerts in MGM’s Grand Garden Arena last night. Tickets for the original 8 p.m. show sold out in 10 minutes, so a 3 p.m. afternoon matinee was added. The noise and screaming from the nearly 30,000 fans at both shows was off the audiometers. To say it was deafening in the high-shrill, top-pitch level ... Read more...
Britney Spears headed to New York; plans for NYE show on Strip still undecided
Pop princess Britney Spears flies to New York today (Sunday) from London after a four-day whirlwind mini-tour of Europe to launch her new album, Circus, which is being released Tuesday to tie in with her 27th birthday. Last night (Saturday), she appeared on Simon Cowell’s hit British TV show X Factor, and TV critics and pop reviewers were unanimous in their praise for her. Simon, who is a judge here on American Idol, presented an American-themed program, which also featured ... Read more...
Love on Thanksgiving for Katy: ‘I kissed a Hero’
Now, what did Grandma say this time? Superstar singer Katy Perry, who hails from Santa Barbara, Calif., is a regular Las Vegas visitor because her 87-year-old grandmother, Anne, still lives here in Vegas. So it was a very Perry Thanksgiving here for the holiday — and Katy brought boyfriend Gym Class Heroes vocalist Travis McCoy along with her family for Grandma’s turkey and trimmings. The last time Vegas DeLuxe caught up with Katy and Grandma was when she opened the ... Read more...
Britney Spears’ 27th birthday week: Germany, Paris, London, New York and a NYE offer to play the Strip
Last-minute, down-to-the-wire negotiations for pop princess Britney Spears to perform on the Strip on New Year’s Eve are underway this weekend in London. Network TV officials flew to the British capital for her arrival tomorrow after debut performances in Germany last night and tonight in Paris. Here is the first YouTube coverage of her in Paris: And here’s the first YouTube coverage of her appearance on German TV last night for their version of the Grammys — the Bambi Awards ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Michael Phelps flies Las Vegas gal pal Pal home for the holiday
Multiple Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Michael Phelps has dived head-first into a full-blown romance with a Moon nightclub beauty from George Maloof’s Palms. It’s been whispered for a couple of weeks now that he has been dating cocktail server Caroline Pal, who is nicknamed “Caz” on her MySpace page. My friend Mark Gray, reporting exclusively for People.com, says that Michael flew the sexy beauty to his home in Baltimore for yesterday’s Thanksgiving holiday. “It was the first time she was ... Read more...
Happy Thanksgiving from the X Girls at Flamingo Las Vegas
We considered all the possibilities for a Thanksgiving Day greeting card. After careful deliberation, we settled on the steamy dancers of X Burlesque. The adult show is staged nightly at 10 at Flamingo Las Vegas. Read more...
Exclusive Interviews, Part 3: The Peep Show’s tantalizing trio of Melanie Brown, Kelly Monaco and Jerry Mitchell
A lavish, multimillion-dollar, topless, adult Strip show starring a pop superstar and a small-screen siren is set to be the most eagerly anticipated new Las Vegas show of 2009! Planet Hollywood chieftain Robert Earl has partnered with BASE Productions (Jersey Boys, Wayne Brady and Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular) for Peep Show, a modern-day burlesque production with 20 of the sexiest, breast-baring beauties in entertainment! Vegas DeLuxe met up with Melanie Brown, aka Mel B and Scary Spice of the ... Read more...
The stars are at play on the Strip pre-Thanksgiving
MTV cameras were rolling on the screaming fans who turned out en masse for P.Diddy’s boyband Day 26 when they appeared for a special performance at Jet nightclub in The Mirage. The crew sang their singles “Come With Me,” “Exclusive” and “Got Me Going,” and they closed with “Since You’ve Been Gone.” Day 26 members Qwanell Mosley, Mike McCluney, Willie Taylor, Robert Curry and Brian Andrews rocked the house and then relaxed in the VIP section afterwards. Next door at ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: 007 stars from the past to appear at Planet Hollywood this weekend
*Of all the villains in the high-octane-energy James Bond movies, nobody ever forgets Jaws. Actor Richard Keil appeared in both The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. He will be joined by one of my oldest longtime friends, the stunning Swedish-born actress Maud Adams, who was one of the most popular 007 girls of all time seen in The Man With the Golden Gun and Octopussy. Both are set to be at the “Gallery of Legends” in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle ... Read more...
Fergie has double duty at The Venetian and Lavo for NYE on the Strip
Tickets went on sale at noon today for singer Fergie’s double-header on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. The Black Eyed Peas singer will be performing live in concert at The Venetian — and then for midnight, she’ll control the countdown into Jan. 1 at Lavo in the neighboring Palazzo. Fergie has promised to perform her hits including “Fergalicious,” “Clumsy” and “Glamorous,” in which she does a shout-out to yours truly. Since I already have my New Year’s Eve reservations ... Read more...
Vegas illusionists take part in World Magic Awards TV special
It’s an extraordinary night of magic tonight with the 2008 World Magic Awards TV special. The top magical performances of the year are honored, and our hometown heroes are right there at the top! Actor and magic aficionado Neil Patrick Harris hosts the show on the MyTV network at 8 p.m. with Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton, our own Jeff McBride and Amazing Johnathan, who stars nightly at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. Also joining the excitement is Dutch-born magician Hans ... Read more...
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas with George Wallace’s help
It was the 15th annual cactus lighting event out at our hometown Ethel’s Chocolate plant — and Flamingo headliner George Wallace was joined by singers Clint Holmes and Zowie Bowie to switch on the 650,000 lights. More than 800 people showed up for the Cactus Lights festivities in Henderson. The holiday cactus garden remains open until Jan. 1 every day from 5 to 10 p.m. except for Christmas Day — and it’s free to the public! Bet you buy a ... Read more...
Scott Weiland is very Happy in Galoshes at Lavo
Hard on the heels — and guitar strings — of a successful, red-hot reunion tour with Stone Temple Pilots, singer Scott Weiland released his highly anticipated second solo album Happy in Galoshes yesterday and celebrated last night with an album release party at Lavo restaurant and nightclub in the Palazzo that continued until the early hours this morning. Our contributing celebrity photographer Erik Kabik, who shot these photos for Vegas DeLuxe, said: “Scott was looking good and in great spirits. ... Read more...
Are Paris and Benji getting back together?!
The surprise break-up of Paris Hilton and Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden after a 10-month romance made headlines around the world, but now 27-year-old Paris herself confesses she still loves him and the split might not be permanent after all. She told American Idol host Ryan Seacrest on his Los Angeles radio show: “Right now we’re just taking a break. We’re still really good friends. We’re very close. He’s an incredible person, and he’s my best friend. He’s been so ... Read more...
Exclusive Interviews, Part 2: The Peep Show’s tantalizing trio of Melanie Brown, Kelly Monaco and Jerry Mitchell
A lavish, multimillion-dollar, topless, adult Strip show starring a pop superstar and a small-screen siren is set to be the most eagerly anticipated new Las Vegas show of 2009! Planet Hollywood chieftain Robert Earl has partnered with BASE Productions (Jersey Boys, Wayne Brady and Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular) for Peep Show, a modern-day burlesque production with 20 of the sexiest, breast-baring beauties in entertainment! Vegas DeLuxe met up with Melanie Brown, aka Mel B and Scary Spice of the ... Read more...
It’s the end of Season 7 — and amid new news of Toni Braxton’s heart surgery, the DWTS trophy goes to …
It was the finals night of Season 7 for Dancing With the Stars, and amid the laughter of returning stars came startling news that our former hometown singer Toni Braxton had undergone surgery for her heart muscle problem yet again — and was unable to dance! She did promise she would be fully recovered in time to go out on the upcoming DWTS tour that hits The Orleans Arena here in Las Vegas on Dec. 29. Tonight’s show also included ... Read more...
Exclusive Interviews, Part I: The Peep Show’s tantalizing trio of Melanie Brown, Kelly Monaco and Jerry Mitchell
A lavish, multimillion-dollar, topless, adult Strip show starring a pop superstar and a small-screen siren is set to be the most eagerly anticipated new Las Vegas show of 2009! Planet Hollywood chieftain Robert Earl has partnered with BASE Productions (Jersey Boys, Wayne Brady and Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular) for Peep Show, a modern-day burlesque production with 20 of the sexiest, breast-baring beauties in entertainment! Vegas DeLuxe met up with Melanie Brown, aka Mel B and Scary Spice of the ... Read more...
Tom Jones, at 68 and with a new album out today, is still a hip-swiveling star
For the first time in 15 years, still-sexy at age 68 singer Tom Jones releases his new album 24 Hours today. The MGM headliner co-wrote both the lyrics and the music for half of the CD, and good friends including Bono and Edge from U2 contributed duets with him. The Welsh singer and showman was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II three years ago for his contributions to the world of entertainment. “She tapped my shoulders with the official sword and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Benji Madden parties on in two more Strip nightclubs
Yesterday we told you that Good Charlotte rocker and Paris Hilton’s most recent ex Benji Madden had begun his bachelor-at-play visit to Las Vegas with a dinner at N9NE steakhouse, followed by the Playboy Club upstairs at the Palms. But he didn’t stop there. He wound up spinning a one-hour DJ set in the middle of the night at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space in the Hard Rock, where he is a partner, and before dawn rose he also went to ... Read more...
Speidi’s runaway Mexico wedding leaves family in the dark
When Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt arrive here on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the Dec. 31 countdown at Christian Audigier nightclub in Treasure Island, they will be a newlywed Mr. and Mrs. The Hills couple secretly married last week, eloping to the Mexican millionaire playground of Cabo San Lucas. The surprise wedding took place at the One & Only Palmilla Resort in Cabo owned by billionaire hotel magnate Sol Kerzner, who plans to build a duplicate of his Atlantis ... Read more...
David Beckham leaves boxing after-party at Studio 54 to party on his own
Out-of-town paparazzi swarmed soccer superstar David Beckham wherever he went on his trip into Las Vegas over the weekend. It got so bad at MGM that security guards had to rescue him from British boxer Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton’s victory party and escort him for safety reasons out of Studio 54. The crush of fans and cameras was apparently just too much to handle. Becks, along with Oasis rocker brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, had arrived at the nightclub after ... Read more...
Jamie Foxx promotes new album with back-to-back parties at Tao and Lavo
Oscar-winning actor-singer Jamie Foxx discovered a new way to party during his most recent Las Vegas visit: bounce back and forth between sister nightclubs Tao and Lavo nightclubs at The Venetian and the Palazzo, respectively. He jumped between the two hotspots so much that it was difficult to track down where he started and where he wound up! But this Ray and Dreamgirls movie star-singer sure knows how to party and get the ladies all over him. At one point, ... Read more...
DWTS final three — Brooke, Warren and Lance — square off tonight
It was the night of the Samba Smackdown for the three finalists on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Brooke Burke, who went first, chose the quickstep for her ballroom dance number. She scored 28 out of 30 despite admitting that her partner Derek Hough had injured his back and they had to do dance rehearsals in a swimming pool! They also for the second time this season notched up perfect 10s for their freestyle number, putting them at the head ... Read more...
Comedy Festival wrap-up: Hans Klok, Ellen DeGeneres and celebrity baggers
Talk-show host and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres turned part of Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant in the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace into her renowned “riff-raff” room when she taped an extra episode of her Emmy Award-winning daily program. Caesars headliner Bette Midler, singer Pink and former Beauty of Magic Planet Hollywood headliner Hans Klok were the special guests — along with 200 guests of Ellen’s show there. Ellen’s technicians ensured that fans in both Spago and The Colosseum, where Hans Klok ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Motley Crue’s world tour schedule keeps on rocking
As hometown rocker Vince Neil gets ready to go out on yet another leg of the Motley Crue 10-year series of world tours, the stats are in on this summer’s Crue Fest. The boys drew more than 613,000 concertgoers and grossed $16.6 million. They promoted their new album Saints of Los Angeles while touring, and to date it’s racked up 236,000 in sales. Now Vince goes off on a short pre-Christmas solo tour, and then rejoins the band Feb. 2 ... Read more...
Jason Statham is the center of attention, co-star’s dream is coming true, and Sly Stallone reveals film secrets
There’s something about rugged British actor Jason Statham that just brings out the wild in women. He was mobbed everywhere he went in Las Vegas over the weekend. From the moment he landed by private jet from a New York film set on Friday night until he flew back yesterday afternoon to be there first thing this morning, he was the center of attention. In his new all-action, edge-of-the-seat-excitement movie Transporter 3, which had its world premiere at Planet Hollywood ... Read more...
Exclusive Interview: Kim Kardashian discusses love, NYE plans, Hollywood’s troubled young stars — and the infamous sex tape!
Gorgeous reality star Kim Kardashian juggles an impressive and incredible work schedule with such ease, it always looks as if she’s simply a Hollywood party girl having nothing but fun. “That’s the last thing I am,” she told me during her weekend visit to the Palms to help promote her new Vegas Magazine cover girl layout. She and sisters Kourtney and Kloe stayed in one of George Maloof’s new Palms Place condo penthouses. “I am not the big party person ... Read more...
Here she is, Miss Nevada Julianna Erdesz
What an incredible story of dedication and determination to overcome life’s hardships for our new Miss Nevada. Julianna Erdesz will represent our Silver State when the Miss America Pageant comes to Planet Hollywood for the live telecast Jan. 24. Her extraordinary story began when her parents fled Hungary to escape the Communist invasion. From our state capital in Carson City, Julianna was their first American-born daughter. For five years, they were forced to live in a RV because of the ... Read more...
Benji Madden resumes bachelorhood with a stay at the Palms
There’s something about being a bachelor and hitting the Palms in Las Vegas when you’re single and looking for love. George Clooney did exactly that and wound up in a nearly yearlong romance with Moon cocktail beauty Sarah Larson — and now comes solid rumors that multiple Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps has been romancing another Palms princess. Last night Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden checked into one of the Fantasy Tower suites there. Newly single after last week’s permanent ... Read more...
Morning Call Exclusive: Lance Bass battles injuries and hopes Marie Osmond’s gifts will hex his opponents tonight!
When pop singer Lance Bass competes against Dancing With the Stars finalists TV host-actress-model Brooke Burke and Super Bowl champion Warren Sapp tonight, he’ll have some secret ammunition thanks to Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond! Not only has the sassy singer given him tips from her run on the ABC show, but she’s also given him a good luck doll — and two gifts to hex his competition! I talked with Lance when he came to Las Vegas last week to ... Read more...
Video Report: Kim Kardashian celebrates Vegas Magazine cover
Vegas Magazine cover model Kim Kardashian celebrated the release of the latest issue of the magazine at an exclusive party Saturday night at George Maloof’s Palms Place. Here is the video interview with Kim conducted by 702.tv anchor Emily Gimmel. Check back tomorrow for our exclusive sit-down with Kim. Read more...
A galaxy of stars party hearty at nightclubs up and down the Strip
Celebrities including American Idol’s Paula Abdul, movie superstar Jamie Foxx, music super-singers Usher and Tyrese, Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere and comedy talk-show host Bill Maher were still partying pre-dawn here this morning. Even lovebirds Criss Angel and blonde beauty Holly Madison were on the town, continuing their commuter romance for the sixth consecutive weekend. It all proved that Hollywood headliners know the best place for fun is in their backyard platinum playground and that Strip nightclubs are alive and well ... Read more...
Morning Call: Superstars Stallone, Beckham and Statham turn out for Hatton’s TKO victory at MGM Grand
British superstars David Beckham, Jason Statham and members of the British band Oasis were ringside last night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, sitting alongside muscled movie tough guy Sylvester Stallone to root for their boxing hero Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton. England’s elite even sang the “Hatton Wonderland” song between sips of the country’s national drink: beer! Hatton wound up scoring a TKO against Brooklyn’s Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi! “It was a great win,” Jason told me post-fight celebrating on ... Read more...
What gives? Soccer star David Beckham heads to the Palms
Moments ago, soccer superstar David Beckham arrived in Las Vegas — and promptly checked into the Palms solo. His Posh Spice wife, Victoria, must have stayed home in Los Angeles with the kids! It’s unknown, for now, how long he’s staying and exactly why he’s in town. But a good guess is that he’ll turn up ringside tonight for the Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton fight against Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ricky enters the ring ... Read more...
Yeah! Usher and Nick Cannon make a dynamic duo at Pure
It was a star-studded Friday night at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace, where guest DJ Nick Cannon worked his magic behind the wheels of steel for the hottest party on the Strip. Making his grand entrance as the clock struck midnight, the multi-talented entertainer husband of Mariah Carey sipped on Fiji water and Red Bull while he entertained the masses all night long. Making a surprise appearance there early this morning was sexy singer Usher, who took in Cannon’s club ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: The Comedy Festival’s photographic memories
The Funny Farm this weekend has been Caesars Palace and The Comedy Festival, and Vegas DeLuxe contributing photographers have been canvassing the property on the hunt for at least one laugh per minute. We’re building a gallery here, and it will be updated as we see fit. For now, enjoy the photos by our own shooters and those supplied by The Comedy Festival cable sponsor, TBS. Enjoy — or the puppy gets it! Read more...
Kim Kardashian parties at the Palms; tough guys Sly Stallone and Jason Statham land on Planet Hollywood
Las Vegas was a glittering, celebrity-studded playground last night as the stars came out for superstar music and movie premieres! As a messiah of messaging, I managed to catch up with all of them in the same night! Gorgeous Kim Kardashian, along with siblings Kourtney, Khloe and Robert, enjoyed a Vegas Magazine cover girl party at the Palms. Hotel owner George Maloof threw open one of the luxurious new penthouse condos just below the top floor at his swank Palms ... Read more...
Masters of domains unite: Seinfeld Bus ends tour at Caesars
There it is: The Puffy Shirt. Properly cased in glass, with a photo of Jerry Seinfeld wearing the pirate-like garment on the Today show. Nearby is the anguished, redheaded Estelle Costanza Doll and the miniature, pasta-crafted Fusilli Jerry statue. Dozens of boxes of Junior Mints are displayed below a New York license plate reading “Assman.” Outside, visitors can attempt a hole-in-one at a putt-putt display paying tribute to a famous episode about a would-be marine biologist. All of it — ... Read more...
Morning Call: A quizzical look at the Cheech & Chong show at The Comedy Festival
Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong — more popularly recognized as the legendary comedy team of Cheech & Chong — sat for a good stoning last night during “Cheech & Chong Roasted” at the Palace Ballroom at Caesars Palace. Thanks to a frequently faulty podium made from a giant bong, a healthy scent of pot smoke hung in the air (at least, it seemed like that fragrance, if memory serves) as emcee Brad Garrett and an eclectic assemblage of celebs took ... Read more...
A pile of bloggage, courtesy of Bobby Slayton
You never know who you will bump into at The Comedy Festival, or what cellophane-wrapped gift item that person might be carrying in a little purple souvenir bag. Just now, I happened into Hooters comic Bobby Slayton, who was on his way to a quick pre-show dinner at Rao’s before hustling off to his 9 p.m. performance. I said, “Hello, Bobby!” He said, “J.K.! (that’s what he calls me — J.K.)” “What’s in the bag?” I asked. “Chocolate dog sh*t!” ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Criss & Holly romance picks up steam with her more natural look
*Sticking to her promise, The Girls Next Door beauty Holly Madison commuted back into the arms of magician Criss Angel yet again this week. The hot celebrity couple returned to their usual VIP table just off the dance floor at LAX at the Luxor and were promptly joined by fellow Luxor headliner Carrot Top. The trio mingled with fans, posed for photos and sipped on Montecristo Rum and Coke cocktails past the midnight hour. Holly set off headlines this week ... Read more...
Stars ready to sling insults at Cheech & Chong roast; plus, Seinfeld’s double-header
The superstars of comedy really get the laughs rolling this weekend as the fourth annual Comedy Festival continues rolling along at Caesars Palace. Jerry Seinfeld, Dane Cook, the Cheech & Chong Roast and biting ventriloquist Jeff Dunham all headline with sell-out shows. It really is a case of where to turn tonight. Here’s the rundown: *The smart, sophisticated and always reliably funny Jerry Seinfeld starts two nights of shows in the Colosseum. Dane Cook, with his movie-star good looks, will ... Read more...
Racecar legend Mario Andretti hits the party circuit
He is the most incredible racecar driver of all time: In a span of nearly five decades, Mario Andretti has racked up more than 100 wins — and nobody comes even close! Mario, 68, welcomed a group of high-rollers from The Venetian and Palazzo out to his driving school at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and he told me even he was impressed with some of the 160-plus mph speeds that they achieved. Afterwards he joined them at master chef ... Read more...
Baseball players take their game to N9NE and the kitchen
Over at N9NE restaurant in George Maloof’s Palms, chef Barry Dakake played host in his kitchen to Major League stars Mike Piazza, Ryan Howard and Tim Lincecum (who just won the National League Cy Young Award). Also dining in N9NE were UFC commentator Joe Rogan and New York Yankee Jason Giambi, who later went up to the Moon nightclub to join singer Jason Mraz after his concert in The Pearl theater there, along with Ryan, who is first baseman for ... Read more...
Ellen’s super huge circus spectacular features Hans Klok’s return to the Strip
Ellen DeGeneres pulled off an international coup thanks to the Overseas Airline Guide’s timetable to fly her variety show guests from throughout the globe into Las Vegas. Without knowing it, she also brought about an unexpected magical reunion for her headline act — and Vegas DeLuxe got the exclusive! Photographers were given just 90 seconds to shoot the lineup of circus acts that appeared last night at the end of the show with Ellen. She’d premiered her “Even Bigger Really ... Read more...
Tabloids are screaming Gwyneth Paltrow’s affair with Las Vegas real estate mogul
When a married headline actress is seen out and about with a wealthy, single, billionaire, playboy real estate mogul, it’s certain to make gossip headlines. Particularly when rumblings of marriage problems between Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay rocker-husband Chris Martin have been all the buzz. The couple, who have two children (Apple and Moses), haven’t been photographed together for many months. While the rocker was on tour, Gwyneth turned up for a series of fun parties in Miami with our Vegas ... Read more...
Statham’s schedule for Transporter 3 premiere is fast and furious
It will be one incredible whirlwind trip tonight for rugged He-Man hunk actor Jason Statham. In fact, it will look as if it’s part of the script from one of his high-speed action adventures. He will be shooting scenes for his newest movie in Manhattan this morning and afternoon, and at 5 p.m. will jump on a jet for Las Vegas. Jason will appropriately race upon arrival and simply park his Alpha Romeo speedster right on the Strip amid a ... Read more...
Morning Call: Ellen DeGeneres’ even bigger, really odd show launches festival
Ellen DeGeneres admitted to thong hypocrisy last night. “I have a lucky thong,” DeGeneres said during the taping of “Ellen’s Even Bigger Really Big Show” at The Colosseum at Caesars. “I’m wearing it right now. It’s made of playing cards — ace, queen, king, jack, 10. Ironically, it’s a straight.” She may have missed a joke about going “all in,” but no matter. The DeGeneres show, kicking off The Comedy Festival, was a hit, nearly filling the 4,000-seat Colosseum with ... Read more...
Special Feature: Charlie Trotter’s new cuisine experiment draws Strip’s chefs and raves
Legendary kitchen king Charlie Trotter has always been hailed as one of America’s top three chefs — and a revolutionary who has never stopped experimenting with food. Now, according to stars chefs up and down the Strip, he’s created something so new and extraordinary, even they are raving about the results. Chances are that you’ll be rubbing shoulders with celebrity chefs if you get a reservation at his unique Bar Charlie. It is styled as a sushi bar without any ... Read more...
White truffles are a tempting treat — even at $4,000!
Hard to believe that an oak tree fungus could become so precious and prized that food aficionados would shell out nearly $4,000 a pound for the strong, aromatic delicacy. Climate change along with alternate droughts and torrential rains have crippled farmers in the Alba region of Italy — the only place they grow that well for the annual October harvest. Tightened supplies of the sought-after white truffle have sent prices sky-rocketing to well over $5,000 per kilo (2.21 lbs.). Last ... Read more...
Poker stars shine on third day of Global Gaming Convention
Former World Series of Poker champion and legend Scotty Nguyen plays alongside several of the world’s biggest poker players at the five 90-minute WSOP tournaments today. It’s the third day of the G2E Global Gaming Convention at our convention center. One of our favorite chefs, Carla Pellegrino from the oh-so-tough-to-get-into Rao’s (in New York City and at Caesars Palace here), brings her authentic southern Neapolitan Italian cooking talents to convention delegates in the Food & Beverage section. Entertainment rolls on ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Is Julianne Hough taking a break from Dancing With the Stars?
*Former Las Vegas Academy student Julianne Hough is rumored to be leaving Dancing With the Stars. She was KO’d in Tuesday’s semifinals with Hannah Montana partner Cody Linley, who she has described as her “sweet little kid brother.” Julianne says that she’s rooting for her brother Derek to win Monday night’s finals with partner Brooke Burke, and reveals that she won’t return for the spring season of the ABC hit show so she can fulfill country-singing career obligations and a ... Read more...
Ellen DeGeneres kicks off first day of Comedy Festival at Caesars
Comedienne and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has landed some “really big names” for her “Even Bigger Really Big Show” that tapes tonight to kick off the 4th Annual Comedy Festival in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. In a sense, it’s a salute to Ed Sullivan, the master Sunday night showman and his beloved variety show of years past. The Emmy Award winner and Oscar and Emmy hostess will welcome a slew of stars, including former Planet Hollywood headliner magician ... Read more...
Breaking News Update: Judge orders Michael Jackson to appear in British courtroom
Under orders from a British High Court judge, King of Pop Michael Jackson will fly to London on Saturday. The on-and-off Las Vegas resident will then appear in court Monday to be grilled by lawyers in a court case brought by Sheikh Abdullah al-Khalifa, who wants Michael to repay him $7 million. The son of the King of Bahrain claims Michael reneged on a contract for a new album and an autobiography — and that the money was an advance! ... Read more...
The truth behind Paris and Benji’s surprise breakup
No denying it but many of Paris Hilton’s friends were surprised with her shocking confirmation yesterday (click HERE) that she and beaufriend Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden had “broken up for good.” However, all of them were relieved and happy that the 10-month romance had ended permanently. Paris and Benji seemed the perfectly contented couple in love at the premiere of her new Repo! The Genetic Opera movie two weeks ago here at Planet Hollywood. Behind the scenes, however, I ... Read more...
Morning Call: Lance Bass turns Strip’s Eiffel Tower red for new wine harvest
It was a two-continent countdown using planning with military precision — and Dancing With the Stars finalist Lance Bass was right at the center of it! The wine harvest was just six weeks ago. The new Beaujolais wines arrived from Paris, France, a day ago, and the cases were transported yesterday to our local distributor. Then in a scene right out of 007 James Bond, a Stars and Stripes helicopter gingerly maneuvered between the Strip’s skyscrapers. For the first time ... Read more...
Gaming leaders discuss how nation’s economic woes will affect industry for years to come
Amid swirling rumors of major surprise Strip casino ownership changes and a possible shutdown of up to 40 percent of one casino company’s retail space, gaming industry leaders met at the Las Vegas Convention Center and warned today that America’s current liquidity crisis will significantly impact the way gaming companies do business. “I don’t think we’ll see again in our career lifetimes the same type of spending we saw before,” said Harrah’s chief Gary Loveman, who grimly predicted “the country ... Read more...
Special Feature: Meet Penthouse mogul Marc Bell, the man who plans to change the face of the Strip and make it ‘hotter and sexier’
Penthouse magazine tycoon owner Marc Bell has arrived in Las Vegas to shake up the Strip as it grapples with the nation’s ever-darkening economic storm clouds! Vegas DeLuxe has learned that although his offers to buy three different casino properties in the past six months were turned down, one company has now come back to him asking him to reconsider and renegotiate! Marc says that within the next 12 months, there will be major ownership changes of Strip properties — ... Read more...
Strip Parties: Playboy Playmate Sara Underwood, Miss Nevada Veronica Grabowski and actor Jason Mewes
You wouldn’t really know it, but sexy Playboy Playmate of the Year Sara Underwood is still studying hard at Oregon State University — and even the 2007 winner has to take a break from the books! So sizzling Sara changed from student jeans and T-shirts to a more revealing, tempting turquoise mini dress with black bodice and cheetah print lining to host a party at MGM’s Tabu Ultra Lounge. Sara has managed to juggle her schoolwork with a rising showbiz ... Read more...
Breaking News: Paris-Benji relationship over
Just 10 days ago at the premiere of her film Repo! The Genetic Opera at Planet Hollywood, Paris Hilton expressed her boundless love for Benji Madden. Today, reports are that their relationship is over. A close gal pal of Hilton says the relationship is definitely over, and there is no chance of reconciliation. The breakup is said to be because of Benji’s possessiveness, which is what also caused his breakup with Australian singer/actress/model Sophie Monk. Friends are said to be ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Criss Angel ‘honored and proud’ to welcome David Copperfield to Believe
*Just as Vegas Deluxe reported yesterday evening, illusionist David Copperfield did attend the late show of Believe, starring Criss Angel for Cirque du Soleil at the Luxor. David and his guests dined beforehand at Iron Chef Kerry Simon’s nearby Cathouse restaurant. At the end of the show, Criss acknowledged his rival: “I am very honored and proud to have David Copperfield in the audience tonight.” *Tickets go on sale today for America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator as he plans ... Read more...
Madame Tussauds immortalizes 007 Daniel Craig and Alvin and the Chipmunks
It’s considered the ultimate showbiz honor — and more important than an Oscar or a Grammy. You’re really somebody of world stature if you are immortalized in wax for the prestigious Madam Tussauds museums around the world as far away as Hong Kong, Berlin, Shanghai and Amsterdam. This week the distinction has fallen on actor Daniel Craig, who plays 007 James Bond in the new mega box-office smash Quantum of Solace, the 22nd sequel of the spy franchise. The actor ... Read more...
Breaking News: Katt scratched from The Comedy Festival
This is one whipped Katt. Proving that no entertainer is indefatigable, Katt Williams has canceled his appearance at The Comedy Festival, set for Thursday at 10 p.m. According to a news release sent today, a spokesman for Williams explains: “Following an arduous 300 show, 18-month touring schedule that left him incredibly fatigued, Katt felt compelled to be with his family in an effort to deal with his stress. While doing so, he is under a doctor’s care. As this is ... Read more...
Kenny Loggins and the Alizma triplets kick off G2E; the Day 2 rundown
The G2E Global Gaming convention kicked off last night with a Kenny Loggins concert at The Orleans Arena — and our hometown violin-playing Alizma triplets were signed on as his opening act. They all posed for these special, exclusive Vegas DeLuxe photos backstage after the concert. The Alizma triplets, Aleksandra, Izabela and Monika, told Vegas DeLuxe: “We had a fantastic performance tonight! We all had such a great time. It was wonderful to play with Kenny. He is an incredibly ... Read more...
Peep Show stars Scary Spice and Kelly Monaco are ready for ‘flesh and flash’
Vegas Deluxe first broke the news yesterday — click HERE — that pop princess Melanie Brown, better known both as Scary Spice and Mel B from the Spice Girls, would star in the new Peep Show at Planet Hollywood. Yesterday we learned that the first-season winner of Dancing With the Stars, Kelly Monaco, will co-star, and the show will officially open March 30. Mel told me she has no objection to showing off “flesh and flash” in the high-production, modern ... Read more...
Joan Rivers bows out last-minute in comedy festival at Caesars; Tom Arnold steps in
Veteran funny lady Joan Rivers has had to drop out at the last minute from the 4th annual Comedy Festival, premiering tomorrow night at Caesars Palace. Vegas DeLuxe exclusively learned that funnyman actor Tom Arnold will stand in for her in addition to being part of the insult team Friday night at the Cheech & Chong comedy roast. Thursday, Nov. 20 It gets underway with Ellen DeGeneres at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace with her Even Bigger Really Big Show,featuring ... Read more...
Morning Call Exclusive: DWTS finalist Lance Bass to welcome new 2008 Beaujolais at Paris Las Vegas
Moments after Las Vegas regular Lance Bass was declared safe on the semifinals of Dancing With the Stars tonight, he agreed to fly to Vegas to celebrate the arrival of the new 2008 Beaujolais wines from France tomorrow evening. The former member of the multi-platinum pop group ’N Sync also will switch on the red lights of the 50-story Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Las Vegas. Information on his visit is developing right now, but it’s expected that he will ... Read more...
Breaking News: The ultimate magicians’ summit? Copperfield goes to Criss
It could be called the ultimate summit meeting of master magicians! Magician David Copperfield, moments ago, picked up two tickets for tonight’s 10 o’clock Believe performance at the Luxor. First Copperfield plans to dine in Iron Chef Kerry Simon’s Cathouse restaurant and night lounge, and then afterwards will walk to the Cirque du Soleil showroom nearby. Oh to be a fly on the wall when Copperfield goes backstage afterwards to say hello to his rival Mindfreak magician just before midnight. ... Read more...
As predicted, Lance Bass and Brooke Burke make the DWTS finals, but who got KO’d?
Spoiler alert! Do not read any further if you don’t want to know who got the boot yet tonight on Dancing With the Stars. ABC executives threw four star singers into tonight’s results show to spin-out the drama to the last seconds. The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin sang “Chain of Fools” and “Respect,” Leona Lewis performed ‘”Bleeding Love,” John Legend sang “Green Light” and our Las Vegas Academy singer-dancer Julianne Hough performed her current country hit “My Hallelujah Song,” ... Read more...
TLC viewers will get to vote four women onto 2009 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood
It all starts with 52 wonderful women, but only one winds up as Miss America. This time around, I can reveal, for the first time ever TV viewers will have a real say in who gets the crown and the title! It all begins with the new Countdown to the Crown reality show starting Jan. 2. The pageant’s state winners, including our new Miss Nevada (click HERE for our past photo feature), have just wrapped filming the new, four-week series. ... Read more...
Death-defying stuntmen plan live ESPN, daredevil New Year’s Eve at the Paris
Vegas DeLuxe update to our item this morning in Morning Call: Two of the most dangerous stunts ever planned for live television are set to be ESPN’s Vegas highlights for New Year’s Eve. Action sports star and freestyle motocross rider Robbie Maddison will attempt to jump to the top of the 96-foot-high replica of the Arc de Triomphe entranceway to the Paris resort hotel. His crazy buddy Rhys Millen will attempt a complete back-flip of an off-road truck. First reports ... Read more...
Wolfgang Puck imports one of Italy’s finest kitchen kings to the Strip
When celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck celebrated his wedding in Italy two summers ago, he gave the day-after luncheon at his favorite Amalfi Coast restaurant with good friend Tonino Mellino, one of Italy’s most extraordinary chefs. Now all week long, Tonino is cooking for Wolf at his Lupo restaurant in Mandalay Bay. Wolf told me: “He’s not only a great friend, he’s a genius of a cook. His restaurant there is one of the most beautiful and romantic anywhere in the ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Prince steps out on the Strip with a new, exotic lady on his arm
*Music legend Prince had a new, stunning, dark-haired exotic beauty on his arm — behind a wall of security bodyguards — during weekend nightclub visits. After his trip into Tao at The Venetian that we reported yesterday, he also showed up at new sister nightspot Lavo in the Palazzo to check out DJ Vibe’s twisting turntables. Then he went off to the House of Blues late night at Mandalay Bay and executed a surprise duet with Q-Tip to the rapper’s ... Read more...
Danity Kane surprises Jet revelers with an impromptu performance
And then there were three. Puff Daddy’s all-girl group Danity Kane has gone from a quintet to a trio! The three remaining members of the pop group — Shannon Bex, Dawn Richard and Aundrea Fimbres — turned up at Jet in The Mirage for a special hosting appearance and wound up giving an impromptu performance! They walked the red carpet and then settled in at a VIP table. Dawn stuck to Sprite, but Shannon and Aundrea enjoyed the well-stocked supply ... Read more...
Candid confessions from Britney Spears as she officially confirms comeback
For weeks now, Vegas DeLuxe has been exclusively reporting inner secrets from the Britney Spears camp that the pop princess was making her comeback under a master plan guided by super-svengali manager Larry Rudolph. We’ve even reported that Larry and Britney were in negotiations to make it all official with a New Year’s Eve coming out party right here on the Strip. Now, moments ago in an email alert, comes the first confirmations with an advance sneak of a brand ... Read more...
Despite Lance’s wardrobe malfunction, ex-’N Syncer leads the DWTS semifinal pack
It could have been the disaster that KO’d him, but Las Vegas regular Lance Bass didn’t miss a musical beat when his left shoe went flying on his second dance of the night on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars last night. He and pro partner Lacey Schwimmer had scored their best total of the season with 28 out of a possible 30 for their first mambo. Then they returned in ’40s sailors outfits for their second dance, the jitterbug. Ironically, ... Read more...
Michael Jackson’s mystery illness ignites a legal battle in $7 million case in London
Vegas DeLuxe update to our item this morning in Morning Call: A British judge is reviewing medical reports this morning in London to rule if he will order embattled King of Pop Michael Jackson to fly there in the next 24 hours. Judge Nigel Sweeny says he might order Jackson to appear in his court on Thursday. Meantime, medical experts working for lawyers in the case are now giving sworn testimony to Judge Sweeny. Jackson, an on-and-off Las Vegas resident, ... Read more...
Morning Call Exclusive: Scary Spice to headline Planet Hollywood’s new Peep Show; DWTS season one winner Kelly Monaco joins her!
Pop princess Scary Spice is set as one of the two new stars to headline the new topless adult cabaret revue Peep Show to open in March at Planet Hollywood, we have learned exclusively. Melanie Brown of the Spice Girls will be joined by a sexy small-screen siren who will be named at noon today. Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl will host a special press conference at the resort’s Strip House restaurant. Update at 1:30 p.m.: The sexy, small-screen siren ... Read more...
At G2E, gaming industry to respond to tough economic challenges facing U.S.
The gaming industry’s official response to the startling economic challenges in the nation that are battering Las Vegas will be made early this morning here, even though the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the world’s largest gaming convention — G2E — doesn’t start until 11:45 a.m. American Gaming Association President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr. will host an 8 a.m. media briefing to discuss current issues and news in the gaming industry. Fahrenkopf will share his views on today’s economic climate, ... Read more...
Mandy Moore’s on-again romance with DJ AM goes public amid three days of Strip partying
Multitalented pop singer-actress Mandy Moore’s three-day Vegas visit was really all about her resumed and reconciled romance with Pure nightclub’s DJ AM, whose real name is Adam Goldstein. Mandy, who won an MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Female Performance for A Walk to Remember, tried to keep it all covered up and super quiet — well, away from paparazzi and gossip gurus — but we now definitely know that the twosome are back together again. Happily, the new romance blossomed ... Read more...
It’s official: No fireworks from hotel rooftops this New Year’s Eve
It’s now official — and exactly as our Luxe Life blog reported exclusively many weeks ago — that no hotel rooftops will be used for this New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations. The Las Vegas Events and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, or LVCVA, have confirmed our story that only ground locations will be used as firing points for the “America’s Party” fireworks extravaganza on Dec. 31. Fire Department officials put the rooftop ban into effect following the fire ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Topless show covers up once a week to allow younger audiences
*It’s an experiment, and it’s only for one show a week. So don’t panic and think Sin City’s reputation for topless showgirls in lavish see-through-to-everything costumes is going the way of the economy! The rhinestone-clad beauties at Jubilee! in Bally’s at center Strip will keep their tops on just on Saturdays for the early evening show. Teenagers 14 and older will be allowed in for the first time ever to see the show as a family attraction! *Controversial interviewer Martin ... Read more...
After Couture-Lesnar’s Octagon bout, UFC fighters duke it out at parties
You would think after the beating, bruising and battering the UFC fighters dished out to one another at UFC 91, they’d just want to hit the hay in the nearest bed. Not the case for these mighty warriors! They wanted to party as hard as they’d fought, and when these guys let loose, they’re drinking and dancing until the real lights go out! Here’s the Vegas Deluxe rundown of everywhere they went: As we reported yesterday — click HERE — ... Read more...
Breaking News: Stars line up to fire barbs at Cheech & Chong roast at Caesars
A multi-talented lineup of nearly all-male stars are now set to roast ’70s comedy stoners Cheech & Chong during this Friday’s taped telecast of the Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace. The one-hour televised show will premiere on TBS on Nov. 30 right after Thanksgiving. That gives the videotape editors a week to clean up any of the F-bombs and other scorching comedic obscenities guaranteed to fly at the roast! TBS announced moments ago that the show at the Palace inside ... Read more...
Exclusive: Stallone and Statham to invade Vegas for Transporter 3
They’re both English, but one packs just a punch less than the other, and the whacking is just a little more than the wallop executed by the other. One serves his country, and the other is only out for himself — but both are box office champions. Now what a movie it would be if Daniel Craig, who portrays James Bond, took on Jason Statham, who plays Frank Martin! It’s 007 vs. the Transporter! Nipping at the special agent’s No. ... Read more...
It’s a semifinal shootout among the Final Four celebrities on Dancing With the Stars
ABC’s Dancing With the Stars has become the No. 1 most-watched show, and now that we’ve reached the semifinals, the intensity doubles for the audience and the dancers. Tonight we’ll see if our predictions about the judges scoring for Brooke Burke and Lance Bass prove true. That will leave our former Las Vegas Academy student, Julianne Hough, returning from surgery to dance with Cody Linley, and Super Bowl champion Warren Sapp to make up the Final Four. Meantime, here are ... Read more...
Morning Call Exclusive: Criss and Holly resume dating spree — he celebrates new NBC series, and she lands Vegas gig!
The Girls Next Door beauty Holly Madison is keeping to her promise to new beaufriend Criss Angel of commuting to Vegas on weekends from her Hollywood home. She flies in from Bob Hope Airport in Burbank on Southwest to keep her romance blossoming with the Mindfreak magician. The lip-locked twosome were out and about all weekend long to celebrate news of yet another network TV series he’s landed — and the new gig she’s won to become a full-time Strip ... Read more...
Jason Mraz helps Maloof family celebrate Palms’ 7th anniversary
There was a delicious irony to the weekend, separate, sold-out appearances of Canadian songbird Alanis Morissette and singer-songwriter Jason Mraz. Solo star Jason was at the Pearl concert theater in the Palms, and Alanis was in the Joint at the Hard Rock. (Click HERE for our earlier, stunning souvenir photo album of Alanis by contributing celebrity photographer Erik Kabik.) Even though Alanis went to the top of the charts in 1995 with her debut Jagged Little Pill, she didn’t go ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Alanis Morissette at the Hard Rock
She was invited with open arms and a huge heart from a fully sold-out Vegas audience that had waited years for her return — and Alanis Morissette opened her packed show at the Joint in the Hard Rock with “Uninvited”! For the fans, it was as powerful and as over the top as the Canadian singer’s performance reputation is known for — and perhaps even more so! “So emotional, so powerful,” reported our contributing celebrity photographer Erik Kabik, who shot ... Read more...
Morning Call: Good sport Randy Couture parties at Studio 54 after UFC 91 loss to Brock Lesnar
Despite being bloodied and beaten, UFC fighter Randy Couture was still the beloved hero this morning as he fulfilled his obligation to host at Studio 54 nightclub in the MGM Grand. Maybe it was because he was 45 and his giant opponent, Brock Lesnar, was so much younger at 31. Maybe it was because Randy was just 220 pounds and Brock weighed 265 pounds. Maybe it was because Randy was rusty after a 15-month layoff. Whatever the reasons — click ... Read more...
Without notice (almost), Palms turns 7 today
It may be very low-key and almost overlooked by everybody else, but congratulations are in order today for hotel tycoon George Maloof and his family as they quietly celebrate the 7th anniversary of the opening of the Palms. Back in 2001, less than 90 days after the horrendous, deadly attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., George opened the first tower of his property with a glitzy, glamorous, star-studded party led by ... Read more...
Morning Call: Desperate Housewives actor celebrates birthday at the Bank
Handsome hunk Josh Henderson partied on through the night and into this morning celebrating his 27th birthday at the Bank nightclub in the Bellagio. The Desperate Housewives star, who plays Austin McCann, is such a hot TV actor, he also will turn up in the new 90210 version of the former Beverly Hills 90210 series. He celebrated at the Bank with gorgeous actress Tyler Cole, who has appeared on the hit NBC show Heroes and in the film Swingers. No ... Read more...
Gerry McCambridge celebrates 600 shows since moving to Las Vegas
At first it was just a three-week gig when Gerry McCambridge decided to give up the tough tours on the road and settle in Las Vegas. Incredibly, the three weeks turned into more than 47 weeks, and now with his move to Hooters, he’s just racked up his 600th resident show here! Not only that, but he successfully launched an Internet site for show tickets here in Vegas, www.showtickets4locals.com, that now has 35,000 members. In 2004 the Psychic Entertainers Association ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Smokey Robinson kicks off entertainment at Aliante, plus Kathy Griffin, Danity Kane and Alanis Morissette all head into town
*The relaunch of Britney Spears’ high-flying pop life continues. We told you earlier in the week of manager Larry Rudolph’s master plan for her huge comeback — click HERE. Now comes word that she’s off to England this weekend for a guest star appearance there in The X Factor, a hugely successful talent show with no other than American Idol judge Simon Cowell as the host! *Stars and athletes led by Entertainer of the Year Danny Gans raised $120,000 at ... Read more...
From Gene Simmons to Ludacris to Dave Navarro, the rockers’ rule is to party like there’s no tomorrow
Not a week goes by in our wonderful city that rock stars, racers and rebels don’t come to party. Now Rain at the Palms seems to be back in favor as a celebrity haunt all over again: fire-breathing, tongue-wagging, blood-spitting KISS star Gene Simmons turned up solo to join the fun one night and stuck to water, and racecar driver Danica Patrick also stuck to Fiji water when she showed up there for an Indy league race party. Next door ... Read more...
Roy vows to up the pace this year in Great Santa Run
Almost a year ago while participating in the Great Santa Run, injured illusionist Roy Horn from Siegfried & Roy threw away his walking stick to walk unaided for part of the course. The magic masters unite with our beloved local Opportunity Village charity on Dec. 6 for the 4th annual Great Santa Run downtown. Participants can register by visiting LasVegasSantaRun.org and receive a five-piece Santa costume — complete with hat, belt and beard! There will be two courses: a 5K ... Read more...
Morning Call: An ultimate UFC weekend in Vegas: ‘the biggest fight in history,’ legal drama and after-parties
There are so many overwhelming distractions outside the Octagon facing UFC heavyweight champion Randy “The Natural” Couture, you wonder how on Earth he’ll deal with the biggest problem of all inside the ring: his giant of an opponent, challenger Brock Lesnar. No wonder UFC officials are billing tomorrow’s battle in the MGM Grand Garden Arena as “the biggest fight in UFC history.” Looming over the UFC 91 title clash is a disturbing court case in which a Vegas judge just ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Wolfgang Puck imports Italian chef friend for weeklong cook-off
*The original celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, will be at his Lupo restaurant in Mandalay Bay tomorrow night, so make your reservation now. His chef friend Tonino Mellino from the extraordinary Ristorante Quattro Passi on the beautiful Italian Amalfi Coast arrives for a week of special guest chef dinners. Wolf gave his wedding day luncheon at this restaurant, so you know Tonino is as great as he is funny! I was at that luncheon, which ran five incredible hours, and I ... Read more...
Rock festival of grandeur planned for Vegas — and the Grand Canyon
Star rockers know the name Mike Peters — even if you don’t. Not because he battled leukemia and won. Not because he has his own rock band in Britain, but because he co-founded a unique cancer charity called Love Hope Strength. The stars are flocking to him because of his one-of-a-kind, unique concert settings. If you’re thinking Woodstock, think again — this is way beyond that! He’s recruited numerous rockers for the most unique concert gigs in the world, including ... Read more...
Newlyweds Jewel and rodeo champ Ty Murray celebrate in Sin City
Gorgeous singer Jewel and her new husband, professional bull riding champion Ty Murray, celebrated their recent wedding with a bull riders-themed party at LAX nightclub in the Luxor. First they enjoyed a dinner of Yuzu chili chicken wings and hanger steaks with mixed green salads at Company American Bistro in the Luxor. Then it was party time in the adjoining nightclub, and even midnight magicians Criss Angel and Holly Madison stopped in to catch Jewel’s live performance. She played an ... Read more...
With Neverland Ranch saved but gone, is Michael Jackson coming to Vegas?
A Vegas hotel financier has rescued Michael Jackson’s financially troubled Neverland Ranch, and The Gloved One may have to bring his new anticipated concerts to the Hilton here as a result. Thomas Barrack’s Colony Capital owns the Las Vegas Hilton and is an investor-partner in several other Vegas resort casinos. Another division of Colony took title to the King of Pop’s Santa Barbara ranch in a unique joint venture with Michael himself that is said to have bought the outstanding ... Read more...
Donny and Marie make additions to their show for the holidays
Flamingo headliners Donny and Marie Osmond plan to add holiday spice to their show starting Dec. 2 and running through to Dec. 20. The siblings are celebrating the most magical time of the year by adding classic carols and other holiday surprises to their show. “It’s been 30 years since Marie and I have performed Christmas music on stage together, so we’re looking forward to adding a holiday flair to our show here on the Strip at the Flamingo,” Donny ... Read more...
Morning Call Exclusive: Ashlee & Pete, Heidi & Spencer and the Kardashian sisters will likely ring in the New Year in Las Vegas!
For the first time since the upcoming birth of their first baby, Ashlee Simpson and Fall Out Boy rocker husband Pete Wentz will make a joint appearance here to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Hard rumors swirled last night that the mighty Pure Management Group has booked them to ring in the New Year with a countdown at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace. Also rumored is that another tight twosome, Heidi Montag and beaufriend Spencer Pratt of MTV’s The Hills, will ... Read more...
Special Feature: Beware of Irish hypno-magician Keith Barry’s sharp, steel spike at Planet Hollywood
In a sense, one of the highlights of Keith Barry’s hypno-magic show at Planet Hollywood is when he “dies.” Yep, the Irish illusionist actually stops his pulse from beating and, hopefully, there’s a doctor, medic or nurse in the audience to confirm it. If that’s not enough for you, then Keith will blindfold you or himself and smash your hand down on four Styrofoam cups, one of which harbors a horrible, pointed, sharp, steel spike! “Don’t try that at home,” ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Final table in WSOP’s $9 million game is up for bid
It’s a first-of-its-kind auction for authentic memorabilia from the final table of the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event, which ended at The Rio early yesterday morning. Auction items include the very poker table used by the two finalists vying for the $9 million mega-prize. (Click HERE for our photo coverage of the winning moments and the big money from yesterday.) Other auction items include other authentic items used during the Main Event, including decks of cards, the dealer ... Read more...
With Olympic champion Greene out, it’s down to four couples on DWTS
It was an emotionally charged Dancing With the Stars last night, with young Cody Linley actually in tears. He had pro dancers Julianne Hough, recovering from surgery, and replacement Edyta Sliwinska on his arms. Both helped the Hannah Montana teen actor narrowly avoid being booted. Then he cried again when Julianne, our former Las Vegas Academy student, promised that she’d be able to dance with him next week. Julianne proved it by dancing an exhibition with her brother Derek, and ... Read more...
It’s celebration time for Nelly and boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Bernard Hopkins
*Music mogul Nelly celebrated his 34th birthday in the private dining room at the new restaurant Lavo inside the Palazzo, and then went up to the boutique Lavo nightclub for a birthday cake in the shape of a Ford Flex! In the party crowd were boxer Vernon Forrest, rapper Murphy Lee from St. Lunatics, poker player Antonio Esfandiari and E! Entertainment’s Clinton Sparks. Britney’s now-estranged former hubby Kevin Federline even jumped into DJ Vice’s wheels of steel booth for Patron ... Read more...
Exclusive: Negotiations are underway for Britney Spears’ New Year’s Eve appearance on the Strip
Mastermind manager Larry Rudolph always told me that the royal return he was engineering for pop superstar Britney Spears would be “the biggest and best comeback in showbiz history.” He’s within 30 days of seeing that promise come true: He is in the midst of carefully executing his top secret plan, and Vegas has a mighty lot to do with it! Here’s what I’ve learned so far since the rumor mill went into heavy overdrive: *Negotiations are going down to ... Read more...
Morning Call: Spectacular fireworks and surprise guest Sheryl Crow light up opening of Aliante
It was an extraordinary sight. When the 11-minute Grucci fireworks display lit up the skies above the new Aliante Station casino hotel last night, you could see mile-long stretches of cars coming from three directions at once for the 11:11 p.m. official opening. Superstar recording artist Sheryl Crow was the surprise guest entertainer, and the singer-songwriter put on a near hourlong show for the invited VIP guests. For some strange reason, her management barred all cameras from snapping photos of ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Ellen DeGeneres promises a bigger and better comedy-variety show
*A year ago at the Comedy Festival, talk show host and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres wowed with her “really big variety show.” For this year’s live Nov. 20 show in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, she’s promising it will be the “Even Bigger Really Big Show.” She’s handpicked the lineup of unique performers and acts — many never seen before on American television — from as far away as Russia, Spain and Germany. Former Planet Hollywood headliner Hans Klok and current ... Read more...
Interview & Video Exclusive: There’s no illusion here — Holly admits she’s already fallen in love with Criss
For five days and nights last week, new lovebirds Criss Angel and Holly Madison were inseparable. The Girls Next Door star returned home to Los Angeles on Saturday night, promising her Mindfreak beau that she’ll be back again this week for another long weekend visit. “I’m in love with him,” she admitted to me during an exclusive Vegas DeLuxe interview. “I’ll be back and forth now every week from L.A.” He told me: “She’s made my life a little more ... Read more...
TV and sports stars take part in Dream Team Poker at Hard Rock
In normal casino poker tournaments, it’s head-to-head individual showdowns, but at the Hard Rock, they’ve come up with a totally new spin on the challenge by introducing Dream Team Poker — with three players competing at a time! Thus if one goes, two labor on. If two go, there’s still hope with one remaining! While the World Series of Poker was down to the November Nine over at The Rio, the Hard Rock, not to be outdone, was busy introducing ... Read more...
Video Exclusive: A sneak peek at the new $660 million Aliante casino
It’s 11/11 on the calendar — and thus at 11:11 p.m. today, the newest of our Station Casinos — the Aliante — will open in North Las Vegas just an hour after a giant 11-minute Grucci fireworks display lights up the skies. It’s taken 320 hours to set up the fireworks display and almost 60 hours just to choreograph the firing sequences. The choreography has been set to music from Lenny Kravitz (“Fly Away”), Stevie Wonder (“Higher Ground”) and Frank ... Read more...
The icemen and icewomen cometh tonight at The Orleans Arena
Two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan won’t be skating on thin ice tonight, and I doubt if Christian contemporary singer Amy Grant will even lace up her ice skates. But a whole host of national, world and Olympic figure skaters will perform and celebrate the holiday as part of the “Holiday Celebration on Ice” at The Orleans Arena. Amy will be joined by singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith to provide the magical sounds of the holidays. Nancy and U.S. champion Todd Eldredge ... Read more...
It’s down to the final five on Dancing With the Stars
It all comes down to a precious few — and now it’s a strong pack of five great dancers who remain in Season 7 of Dancing With the Stars. For the first time last night, our favorite stars had to tackle two dance routines in the same show: a ballroom number and a Latin fiesta! Hannah Montana star Cody Linley was still without former Vegas Academy music professional Julianne Hough, but he managed to rack up two 24 judge’s scores ... Read more...
Lindsay talks openly about dating DJ gal pal Samantha
Actress Lindsay Lohan and DJ gal pal Samantha Ronson caused a lot of gossip and chatter with their visit to Vegas this past weekend. The open flirting, kissing, cuddling and hand-holding between the two women triggered tongues chattering away. The Sapphic ring on Lindsay’s left hand sent whispers into wondering land! The lovers were at The Palms restaurant together in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and then at Pure nightclub. Now just 48 hours after their visit ended comes ... Read more...
Morning Call: $9 million WSOP winner is youngest champion ever
Two young guns of poker unpacked their chips at exactly 10 p.m. yesterday to see which one would walk away with the $9 million World Series of Poker main event mega-prize. At 10:06 p.m., slightly behind schedule, legendary announcer Michael Buffer introduced 22-year-old Danish player Peter Eastgate and 27-year-old Ivan Demidov as the cards went in the air for the less-than-9-minutes remaining in Level 37. Eastgate was the chip leader with 79,500,000, and Demidov followed with 57,725,000. Both men began ... Read more...
Breaking News: With $9 million at stake, WSOP down to final two
One of these two men will be $9 million richer tomorrow morning. One of these two men will be crowned world poker champion — and the other will probably be forgotten. One of these two men will win the prestigious poker bracelet. One of these two men will be a national hero in his home country. At 10 p.m. today in The Rio’s Penn & Teller theater, the boxing world’s most famous voice, Michael Buffer, will state his trademark words ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Michael Jackson receives offer to perform at London’s 02 Arena
*The giant AEG Live entertainment conglomerate, who stage the Cher, Bette Midler, Sir Elton John and Celine Dion shows at Caesars Palace, have made an unprecedented offer to on-and-off Vegas resident Michael Jackson. No, he’s not going to play the Colosseum on the Strip, but, according to London newspapers over the weekend, the Gloved One does have a “standing offer with no expiration” to play at the incredible 02 Arena in the British capital. The offer coincides with Michael’s return ... Read more...
Madonna and Lindsay’s memorable weekend in Sin City; plus, the ring mystery is solved
The Queen of Pop may well be 50 years old, but she struts her stuff like a buff 20-year-old. At her two MGM Grand Garden Arena concerts over the weekend, she had fans enthralled, including a solo Lindsay Lohan watching for the second time in the same week! With about a dozen musicians and another dozen dancers backing her up, Madonna wowed fans with her massive 24-song set, which included piano top dancing, her vintage auto dancing and her leers ... Read more...
McBride wins final round of PBR World Finals, but the new world champion is …
Former UNLV cowboy hero Justin McBride didn’t retire without a fight. In fact, in Round 7 of the 2008 Professional Bull Riders World Finals here yesterday, he had the satisfaction of knowing he claimed the No. 1 slot with a 93.50 score riding Pearl Snap, beating Guilherme Marchi, who placed second overall in the World Finals event but is the new overall world champion — winning the $1 million bonus. Brazilian superstar Guilherme was officially crowned the 2008 PBR world ... Read more...
Hollywood stars help Tao celebrate its 3rd anniversary
It was more like a glittering first night than a third anniversary when the stars packed Tao restaurant and nightclub over the weekend. The 60,000-square-foot-entertainment complex at The Venetian was jam-packed with celebrity VIPs. Click HERE for our initial Morning Call coverage yesterday. Here’s the remainder of the through-the-night excitement we didn’t get to when I called it quits at 2 a.m.! It was shortly after that when actor Mickey Rourke joined the fun. You tell me how best to ... Read more...
Toni and Lance will trip the light fantastic with DWTS national tour
Tension is mounting now that we are down to a precious few on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, and tonight one more couple faces the judge’s wrath. Our former Vegas Academy music student Julianne Hough still won’t be able to partner with Cody Linley for medical reasons, so, with Edyta Sliwinska as his temporary partner, he may be at a disadvantage. However, Julianne will be there to watch and encourage the Hannah Montana teen heartthrob, and tomorrow she will sing ... Read more...
Paris and Benji reveal love secrets and plan for first anniversary
For the first time, Paris Hilton and lover Benji Madden of Good Charlotte have gone on the record about their relationship — and their mutual promises to be with each other forever! They talked with me candidly at the premiere of her new movie Repo! The Genetic Opera when it debuted at Planet Hollywood here. “I’m really happy — he’s my best friend. He’s an incredible man and a really good person who makes me very happy. He wants to ... Read more...
Morning Call: Russia’s Ivan Demidov faces Denmark’s Peter Eastgate for WSOP’s $9 million winner’s prize
In the end, it came down to just two poker players … at 12:37 a.m. today, in the Penn & Teller theater at The Rio, as the World Series of Poker inched closer to the final, head-to-head battle. It’s an international flashpoint as 27-year-old Russian Ivan Demidov and 22-year-old Peter Eastgate from Denmark became the two finalists. First they will face us ink-stained wretches today at 1 p.m. for a Q&A session, and we’ll try for the inside scoop on ... Read more...
Breaking News: It’s Indiana Jones and the Planet Hollywood as Ford-Flockhart hit the Strip
Superstar screen hero Harrison Ford brought his longtime lady love, actress Calista Flockhart, to Vegas on a weekend celebration of a friend’s birthday. The couple are very rarely seen out and about, and to the best of my memory haven’t been seen in Vegas together since their romance began. They arrived early this morning (Sunday) at the Prive nightclub at Planet Hollywood. Their entourage was so large, they took over an entire VIP section at the nightspot. Calista wore a ... Read more...
$32.7 million WSOP’s final rounds are underway at The Rio
At 2 p.m. today, Penn & Teller’s theater at The Rio was packed to the rafters, yet the silence was so hushed and reverential, you honestly could hear the turn of an ace! It’s now more than four hours since nine of the world’s best poker players sat down on the stage to battle one another for a share of $32,731,625 in the World Series of Poker World Championship. Each one of them is aiming for the $9,152,416 first-place prize. ... Read more...
Video Highlights: Marchi high in the saddle as PBR final round approaches
Only the unthinkable can stop Guilherme Marchi of Brazil from winning the Professoinal Bull Riders championship title at the Thomas & Mack Center. The NBC telecast of Round 7 starts at 4 p.m. Pacific time. By the end of the evening, Guilherme should be known as the $4 million man. Click HERE for highlights of last night’s action. Read more...
Photo Gallery: Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet Tour
Recording superstar Madonna, still the reigning queen of pop at 50 years of age, drew sell-out crowds last night for the first of her two sold-out shows at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The second of the Sticky & Sweet shows is set for tonight and was added on because of the extremely high demand for tickets. We’ll have the full report in tomorrow’s Vegas DeLuxe, but we wanted to share our special photo gallery coverage with you immediately. Contributing ... Read more...
Morning Call: Triplets tempt at Tao’s third triumph
Hollywood celebrities partied until dawn this morning (Sunday) at Tao’s star-studded third anniversary celebrations. Club owners Rich Wolfe, Noah Tepperberg and Mark Packer, and partner Jason Strauss, played host to a haul of Tinseltown talent. They included reality TV star Denise Richards to Dancing With the Stars beauty Stacy Keibler, Hairspray actress Amanda Bynes, gorgeous Kate Walsh from Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, and Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo, with husband Chris Ivery, celebrating her birthday and their first wedding ... Read more...
Video Exclusive: Lindsay Lohan’s return to Pure draws a full house
Hollywood’s Lindsay Lohan, in and out of the headlines for various controversies the past two years, showed up on time for her party at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace this morning. More than 7,000 people crowded the casino floor at the resort hotel trying to get into the club and catch a glimpse of the 22-year-old actress, who has been more in the news for alcohol- and drug-related incidents than her showbiz career. In addition to at least five bodyguards ... Read more...
Video Exclusive: Romantic revelations from Paris, Holly
In an exclusive Luxe Life interview for VegasDeLuxe from the premiere of Repo! The Genetic Opera at Planet Hollywood, Paris Hilton talks of being with boyfriend Benji Madden “forever” and Holly Madison says, for the first time, she’s already in love with Criss Angel. Read today’s Morning Call report HERE. Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Princess of Magic Scarlett receives prestigious Merlin Award
*Congratulations to Scarlett — Princess of Magic at the V Theater in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. She has just won the prestigious Merlin Award, the equivalent in magic circles to an Academy Award. It was presented to her by Tony Hassini, president of the International Magicians Society. David Saxe, president of the V Theater, was on hand for the ceremony. Scarlett, who hails from Reno, presents her family-friendly magic show six days a week at the V Theater, and it ... Read more...
Sin City Kitties are dancing their tails off at Whiskey Pete’s
A unique new topless cabaret experience now greets visitors right after they cross the California border on I-15 into Nevada, as seven sizzling, scantily clad sensations now make the commute back and forth each day from the Strip to Whiskey Pete’s showroom in Primm. Meet the Sin City Kitties, who are dancing their tails off — how could I resist? The purring pretties are Mistress Lily, Champagne, Siren, Summer, Gigi, Dazee and Roxy — and all of them have extensive ... Read more...
Wynn oddsmaker Johnny Avello predicts Dancing With the Stars final results
Vegas DeLuxe went on the record early in the new seventh season of Dancing With the Stars that model and TV host Brooke Burke would sweep the field to win the disco ball trophy. Now it appears that Steve Wynn’s oddsmaker agrees. Johnny Avello, executive director of the Race & Sports Book at Wynn Las Vegas, has just released his odds for the latest season of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. He says he opened Brooke at 7 to 1, ... Read more...
Megastars Madonna and Lindsay hit town this weekend
It’s a dream weekend of fan frenzy and paparazzi pandemonium. The arrival of megastars Madonna and Lindsay Lohan is a guaranteed global phenomenon this weekend in Vegas. Equipment and scenic trucks for Madonna’s back-to-back, sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena “Sticky & Sweet” shows tomorrow and Sunday rumbled into town early today after packing up from last night’s wow-whammy of star power at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. In fact, Lindsay was among the celebrity crowd watching, and, just as Luxe ... Read more...
Brazilian leads bull riding championships after fourth round; McBride falls to 34th place
Brazilian rider Guilherme Marchi looks certain now after last night’s fourth round of the Professional Bull Riding Championships to win it all on Sunday. It should give him a nice $4 million payday, and then he retires. The 26-year-old cowboy has just three days of rank bull challenges ahead of him, but he sits atop the leader board even though last night he came in 7th, scoring 89.25 on Outa Da Blue. J.B. Mauney, who is in second place overall ... Read more...
November Nine compete for $9 million WSOP title prize on Sunday
Back on July 3, some 6,844 poker players from 118 countries bought in for $10,000 apiece for the new-look, 39th annual World Series of Poker. It all comes down to this weekend’s final table of nine. The November Nine will enter Penn & Teller’s theater at The Rio for their own kind of magic Sunday morning at 10. During the past three months of no play, the nine players have been not only studying one another’s skills, maneuvers, strengths and ... Read more...
Tao’s 3rd anniversary shaping up to be a star-studded soiree
Tao’s 3rd anniversary at The Venetian will be a star-studded affair tomorrow night. Among the many celebrities set to attend are Grey’s Anatomy actress Ellen Pompeo, Kate Walsh and Taye Diggs from Private Practice, Amanda Bynes of Hairspray, The Office’s Jenna Fischer, Stacey Keibler from Dancing With the Stars — and I’m taking the Alizma violin-playing triplets since it’s three for three! Amazing to think it was back in 2005 that the Asian-themed restaurant and nightclub first opened its doors, ... Read more...
Morning Call: Paris premieres ‘Repo!’ horror movie at Planet Hollywood
Pop princess Paris Hilton was the special star guest at Planet Hollywood for last night’s premiere of her new horror movie Repo! The Genetic Opera. Her yearlong beau, rocker Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, flew in with her for the red carpet walk through the hotel, which was packed with hundreds of her fans. They were welcomed by the resort casino’s head honcho, Robert Earl. New love mates Criss Angel and Holly Madison were among the star turnout still partying ... Read more...
Breaking News: Planet Hollywood to host 2009 and 2010 Miss USA Pageants
Moments ago a new, two-year deal between Donald Trump’s Miss Universe Organization and Robert Earl’s Planet Hollywood was signed to bring the beauty pageant to the Strip for two new consecutive years. Miss USA 2009 and Miss USA 2010 will be broadcast live from Planet Hollywood on NBC. Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, announced that the 2009 competition will air live on April 19 from the Theatre for the Performing Arts. Paula, who used to work ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Maynard James Keenan pops his cork
Rocker Maynard James Keenan, lead singer and co-founder of Tool, has popped his cork with a new line of wines that range up in price to a whopping $250 a bottle! Maynard, who has also sung with A Perfect Circle and Puscifer brought his new wines to the Whole Foods Market in Henderson’s Green Valley yesterday with his business partner, Arizona winemaker Eric Glomski. Enthusiastic fans lined up around the building and down the street to purchase bottles from their ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Martin Short’s private IBM launch is lavish and psychedelic
Many stars zip in and out of Vegas unnoticed. Many come here to pick up a huge check for private appearances at corporate gatherings and business conventions. They’re kept so private, even I don’t know half of them. But when the incredibly talented Martin Short flew in, he was good enough to let our contributing celebrity photographer Tom Donoghue capture his show for IBM executives and sales people. He helped the company launch its new Information On Demand service against ... Read more...
Breaking News: Venetian officials file SEC report admitting financial woes
Share prices on Wall Street fell below the $8 mark this morning for the parent company of The Venetian and the Palazzo — a 25% drop! When the Las Vegas Sands Corp. first went public, the offering price was $29 per share and rose as high as $149. However, in the past few months, the price has plummeted down to $8. Despite a mini-rally that sent them up to $14 last week, they fell again this morning in initial trading ... Read more...
Star chef Joel Robuchon unveils gigantic 800-recipe cookbook
Fresh from his win as America’s only three-star Michelin chef, Joel Robuchon returns from his Paris headquarters to unveil his new monster cookbook at his two MGM restaurants here this evening. I think he makes cookbook history with a gigantic, 800-plus recipes. The French version won raves, with Paris Match stating: “From starters to desserts, all the classics of good home cooking are here.” Said Joel: “I wanted to show that anybody could cook French home-style for the way we ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: The $2,000 truffle pasta and the $1,000 truffle soup
*Don’t panic! The prices aren’t quite that stratospheric yet — but inching ever closer! Two or three pricy platters topped with heapings of the rare and prized Italian white truffle, only found in Alba, will send the credit card into sky-high overdrive. You’ll find the precious delicacies starting next Tuesday at our five-star restaurants on the Strip. Check out Luciano Pellegrini’s Valentino at The Venetian and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago at Caesars Palace, where I’m going to splurge on my all-time-favorite ... Read more...
Breaking News: Britney and Justin may reunite for Madonna; Janet cancels remainder of tour
Rumors are spreading this morning that former love mates Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake have agreed to reunite for a special joint performance — and it could be this weekend with Madonna when she appears here on Saturday and Sunday at the MGM Grand. According to American Idol host and morning radio DJ Ryan Seacrest just moments ago, Madonna got Britney and Justin to agree to the stunning guest appearance of the three pop royals on stage simultaneously. Caution: It ... Read more...
Paris faces Bond-age in Vegas sneak preview screenings
Can sexy pop princess Paris Hilton outsizzle a screen hunk as their two new movies do head to head battle next week? Ironically, both flicks even get unique screenings here tonight on the Strip. Paris is up first with co-stars Paul Sorvino and Spy Kids actress Alexa Vega with the premiere of her horror film Repo! The Genetic Opera at Planet Hollywood. The 007 spy thriller Quantum of Solace is then unveiled by talk show royal Larry King as part ... Read more...
Breaking News: Wynn now taking Dec. 22 reservations at Encore tower
Hotel tycoon Steve Wynn was originally told he would be able to only take reservations for his new Encore resort tower after January — thus missing all the potential New Year’s Eve business and the two weekends that precede and follow the midweek celebrations., He won special permission from the Clark County Commission in light of the current economic doldrums the country is facing. He will be given a Certificate of Occupancy that allows him to now have guests in ... Read more...
Tweaks to Believe are ‘totally normal and standard operating procedure’
Let’s end the rumors before they race out of control and do any damage that’s not intended. No sooner had theater critics pounced on some aspects of the Cirque du Soleil show Believe, starring Criss Angel, than the rumors started, built up momentum and, before you knew it, everybody was predicting mass executions, death by firing squads and a whole series of Halloween horrors. It was quite laughable, because they were fueled by people who don’t have the slightest understanding ... Read more...
Morning Call: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ a spin-off for Lucci
The extra day between the judges’ voting and the viewers’ voting just heightened the tension on Dancing with the Stars -– more so than the Obama-McCain results, which is why ABC executives pushed the top-rated show back a day. Maybe they’ll have a special when Barack and Michelle dance into the White House now that John and Cindy are KO’d from that political show? Hannah Montana star Cody Linley was voted “safe” even though he danced with Edyta Sliwinska standing ... Read more...
Michael Mina’s famous lobster pie
With permission, here’s Michael’s famed Maine Lobster Pot Pie recipe from his Michael Mina restaurant at the Bellagio. If it’s too much for you to tackle at home, then simply hike down to the beautiful dining establishment overlooking the dancing water fountains on the Strip and order it. However, don’t eat breakfast or lunch that day, because it’s one of the most incredible and filling meals you will ever enjoy in your life. Click HERE for all of Mina’s restaurant ... Read more...
Special Feature: Celebrity chef Michael Mina opens two restaurants at the same time — 300 miles apart
Out of the frying pan and into the fire! It had to be the very first time in restaurant history that a star chef would attempt the insanity of not opening just one restaurant in one night but two simultaneously 300 miles apart! Inspired by his partner, world tennis champion Andre Agassi, celebrity chef and Michelin star winner Michael Mina pulled off the impossible: He juggled two back-to-back openings here in Vegas and their 14th restaurant in Los Angeles. Michael ... Read more...
Breaking News: Holly laughs off wedding rumors but is back with Criss in Sin City
Exactly as Luxe Life reported in advance, Girls Next Door star Holly Madison is back at the Luxor penthouse with Mindfreak magician Criss Angel. She flew in from Burbank airport and photographers mobbed her to get shots of a love-bite hickey on her neck that she admitted Criss gave her. Responding to rumors that the new twosome might plan a quickie Vegas wedding, she laughed: “Now that just isn’t going to happen.” However she did again confirm the romance is ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Now serving Michael Mina’s Seablue and sexy Crazy Horse Paris striptease
*The gorgeous topless girls of the sexy, sassy Crazy Horse Paris cabaret at MGM have palled up with star chef Michael Mina to offer an eye-popping special at his Seablue restaurant there. The pairing packs a double punch! Michael has created a three-course tasting menu built around his “jet fresh” seafood dishes and fresh seasonal produce, and the luscious ladies provide the entertainment. You get supper and the show for the delicious price of just $94. For an entire evening ... Read more...
No illusion — magician-mentalist Keith Barry busy with new Strip show, Ellen’s Really Big Comedy Show
As a 14-year-old growing up in Ireland, Keith Barry picked up a book titled Magic for the Complete Klutz. He was hooked, and 13 years later, he won his own European TV show, Close Encounters, that aired in 28 countries. In 2004, he appeared on the MTV special Brainwashed and a live Christmas special in 2005. CBS signed him to a four-year, multi-special deal. Now known as “The Druid Master,” he was on a fast track to rising success when ... Read more...
Meet Peep Show’s Jerry Mitchell, the Strip’s newest director
Sometimes even gossip columnists have to use some sleight-of-hand and misdirection to stay ahead of the news without compromising an incredible story. With that in mind, I want you to meet the Strip’s newest director who has landed here after an extraordinary track record of Broadway successes. Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell is a name you will be hearing a lot about in future weeks, so it’s time you knew something about him. He’s arrived here to direct the new adult ... Read more...
Rumored ‘Night of 100 Fight Legends’ a knockout boxing spectacular
I’ve started to hear very early, but definite, rumblings about the ultimate boxing spectacular being staged right here in Vegas. It would reunite all the former world champions, in their different weight classes, who are still alive. I’m told that some of them will even go three rounds of exhibition boxing to duplicate their past match-ups. “It would be a sports history night never to be repeated, just a one-night-only event with every legend of the sport,” I was told. ... Read more...
Marie Osmond feels at home in community — ‘We really love Vegas’
“I finally feel I’m home,” said Marie Osmond when she talked to me for the first time about her new extended contract to headline at the Flamingo. She confirmed Luxe Life’s recent exclusive that big brother Donny let slip that they will probably be here for at least four years with the option renewals. “Now I’m really a Vegan,” she continued. “We really love Vegas. We live here in a lovely home in Henderson. The kids go to school here, ... Read more...
What election? The F-word takes center stage in the Supreme Court
In the hallowed halls of the nation’s capital, election news took a back seat to the F-bomb yesterday. But the Supreme Court justices and the respectful attorneys danced around the F-word. Nobody dared utter the word itself during the trial hearing, which centers on the expletive our Caesars Palace headliner, Cher, spoke clearly on a live Vegas telecast. Sensitivities in the Supreme Court regarding the use of coarse language on TV were so strong, the justices even barred the usual ... Read more...
Morning Call: Motocross champ has pedal to the metal in mini-racing debut
Freestyle motocross legend Travis Pastrana, along with DC Shoes founder Ken Block, entertained and raced against guests at the Subaru Rally Team party at Pole Position Raceway late last night (Tuesday). The unique speedway is opposite George Maloof’s new Palms Place condo tower. Read more...
Morning Call: It’s Hard Rock instead of jailhouse rock for Nick and Hulk Hogan
World famous wrestler Hulk Hogan checked into the Hard Rock yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) for a weeklong Vegas visit. With him was teen son Nick, who was recently released from jail — on Oct. 21 — after serving five months behind bars. Nick had originally been sentenced to eight months in the Pinellas County, Florida, jail for a drunk-driving, drag-racing accident that caused such serious injuries to his front-seat passenger that he will require medical care for the rest of his ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Mr. Belding chooses the ‘Naughtiest Schoolgirl’ at Body English
*As promised yesterday, here’s the final wrap-up of the Halloween holiday weekend. My friend actor Dennis Haskins, who played Mr. Belding on Saved by the Bell for seven years, dressed as a priest to judge Body English’s “Naughtiest Schoolgirl” contest at the Hard Rock Hotel. Also there was Paris Hilton’s My New BFF MTV reality show contestant Onch, who was eliminated on the fourth episode. Onch found time to mingle with fans who said he should have won! *Gorgeous model ... Read more...
Amy does the Smart thing to ‘Get Out the Vote’
Actress Amy Smart recruited Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am to help her raise awareness for “Get Out the Vote” when she hosted a party at the new Lavo restaurant and nightclub at the Palazzo. Amy wore a hot-pink T-shirt emblazoned with the organization’s Web site prominently displayed. Amy and Will.i.am hosted a dinner with executive chef Ludo Lefevbre’s signature dishes, then took control of the lounge with a special DJ set before heading up to the nightclub to dance through ... Read more...
Aykroyd makes a musical discovery while promoting his Crystal Head vodka
You know him as a comedy movie superstar and a blues player! In his home country of Canada, he’s known more for being an astute businessman who runs an ever-growing, multi-million-dollar liquor company. Not content with his Patron tequila fortunes north of the border, Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd now has his own line of diamond-filtered, totally pure Crystal Head vodka. The funnyman launched his uniquely packaged vodka with a party here at the Hard Rock, then in a promo blitzkrieg, hit ... Read more...
Staggering Stars: Will Cody be around for Julianne’s return to DWTS?
Maybe the ABC executives should re-title the show Dancing With the Injured Stars? It seems now that every one of the last seven competitors standing is literally falling over in pain! Believe it or not, but daytime soap queen Susan Lucci, who has an injured toe, didn’t wind up in the bottom position last night after dancing a difficult paso doble. She scored 24 out of 30. Our Vegas regular Lance Bass — Sir Dance-A-Lot! — hurt his toe during ... Read more...
Crazy Girls take it off to go Undercover
The sexy, sassy, sensual, strip-teasing Crazy Girls from the Riviera are now showing off their provocative poses in the new film Undercover, which launched this past weekend on Video on Demand pay-per-view cable TV systems across the country. The film, which stars British actor Clive Robertson, gorgeous blonde Nikki Ziering and Simona Fusca, will run for three months through Jan. 31. If you have cable, simply click on the new movies category to enjoy the mercurial moves of the blonde ... Read more...
McBride in third place heading into Thursday’s final rounds
Retiring bull rider Justin McBride wound up in the third position at the end of the third round of the World Championship Finals on his final bid for a $1 million bonus win to finish off his 10-year career. The 15th anniversary Professional Bull Riders battle resumes Thursday at Thomas & Mack Center. Former UNLV student Justin says “win or lose,” he’s retiring to his Oklahoma cattle ranch. Forty of the world’s best bull riders are in Sin City for ... Read more...
Stomp stepping out in favor of new Peep Show
Rumors that the Stomp Out Loud show at Planet Hollywood will close and relocate as of Jan. 4 have been confirmed as true. The dance cast revealed the producers’ decision and hope to move to another Vegas location. In the meantime, Vegas DeLuxe also can now officially confirm that The Peep Show, a new adult topless cabaret will take its place in early March. The showroom will be shuttered in the interim for a multi-million-dollar makeover to turn it into ... Read more...
McEntire to host ACMAs for 11th time; Strait is Artist of the Decade
The reigning queen of country is returning one more time! For the 11th go-round, music, film and TV legend Reba McEntire will host the annual, live Academy of Country Music Awards — the 44th — from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on CBS. This year it’s a unique and spectacular two-night event. First, Reba reveals that the 2009 special is on April 5. Then 24 hours later, it will be followed by the taping of the rare Artist of the ... Read more...
Allergy-suffering Cher says romance is nothing to sneeze at
Legendary 62-year-old singer Cher has denied that her recently canceled headliner shows at Caesars Palace were because of throat cancer. “My health is great, but the wind blows in Vegas and I have an allergy to it. It’s known as Vegas throat,” Cher said. “If I had cancer, everyone would know it. I wouldn’t tell, but somebody would because if you’re famous and have those kinds of things happening, they can’t be kept secret. It’s really hard if you get ... Read more...
Celine set for 2010 return to Caesars
Mega-successful Canadian superstar singer Celine Dion is coming home to headline at Caesars Palace. Vegas DeLuxe got an unofficial but solidly reliable confirmation that she will resume alternating performances with singers Bette Midler and Cher after Sir Elton John winds up his current contract. There’s even a good possibility that to welcome her back to the Colosseum at Caesars, there will be a one-night-only concert featuring all three divas on the same stage at the same time! But first 40-year-old ... Read more...
Morning Call: Mac makes last stand in Henderson
Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his “Straight Talk Express” landed at the Henderson Pavilion last night, just hours before voting got underway across the nation. Trailing in the national polls, McCain stated, “I am an American and I never give up.” VegasDeluxe contributing photographers Tom Donoghue and Erik Kabik were on duty for this extraordinary gallery of historic photos. For the entire time that Sen. McCain spoke, the crowd was on its feet. Rep. Jon Porter, running against Democratic ... Read more...
Video: Mike Tyson is a man of peace
On the “Black Carpet” for Believe, Mike Tyson tells Robin Leach that his (Tyson’s) fighting days have passed. It’s all about pain, and not wanting to cause it. Read more...
Video: Marie Osmond’s sleight-of-hand
On the “Black Carpet” for Believe at the Luxor, Marie Osmond says she’s never received a magic kit as a gift – then makes herself disappear. Read more...
Facing retirement, McBride aims for third win at PBR world championships
Today is the fourth day of competition for 40 of the world’s top bull riders in their world championship finals at the Thomas & Mack center. We’ve got the first look at the action as promised. Former UNLV student-turned-cowboy Justin McBride is hoping for a third win and another $1 million bonus payday, but he’s facing tough competition from 26-year-old Guilherme Marchi of Brazil, who is leading with five season victories this year, followed closely by rider Valdiron de Oliveira. ... Read more...
Candid confessions from the stars at Believe’s premiere
My reporter’s notebook overflowed with juicy gems from the Criss Angel black carpet opening night of Believe at the Luxor, and they are too good of gossip items not to share.) Mike Tyson shot down the rumors of a reported $100 million fight in Dubai against archrival Evander Holyfield. “I won’t ever be fighting anybody in the future for whatever amount of money is thrown at me. I simply don’t want to hurt anybody ever again,” he told me. Deborah ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: TV stars set for Strip strip
*Wicked whispers & racy rumors: Just asking if it is true that March 31 is the debut date set for a major reality TV star to follow in the high heels of other famous names to make her debut on the Strip as a burlesque beauty. I know rehearsals will commence in January but am sworn to secrecy about her identity for now. … Just asking if it is true that a major off-Strip nightclub will be turned exclusively into ... Read more...
Inside Amazing Johnathan’s wild and outrageous house of horrors
Amazing Johnathan’s annual Halloween party brought out fellow Strip entertainers MGM’s David Copperfield, Luxor’s Carrot Top, Red Rock’s Zowie Bowie, Flamingo’s Nathan Burton, Paris headliner Anthony Cools and Hooters’ mentalist Gerry McCambridge. Johnathan, who appears nightly at the Krave Theater in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile, converted his east-side airport warehouse into Szele’s Mortuary, where he handed out 3-D glasses for those willing to brave entry into the “Missing Persons” maze. He’d built it over a nearly three-month period as a ... Read more...
DWTS fans await update on two-time winner Hough
Millions of viewers will tune in tonight for the update on Julianne Hough’s post-surgery health report. The former Las Vegas Academy student underwent an operation last week after collapsing after dancing during the live broadcast of Dancing With the Stars the previous week. She was diagnosed by doctors as having endometriosis. Julianne underwent surgery last Tuesday due to the condition. It’s described as an often-painful condition, found in as much as 10 percent of females, in which a uterine-lining tissue ... Read more...
Vegas Halloween brings tricksters Carmen, Vince, Wilmer and scores of other celebs
Carmen Electra turned up at the Rok Vegas Halloween party in New York-New York as a candy girl, handing out tricks and treats from her Carmen’s candy collection tray. She was accompanied by her fiance, former Korn rocker Rob Patterson, dressed as a priest. It was the rock lounge’s inaugural Halloween bash, and while Carmen signed autographs and blew kisses to fans, Rob wowed the crowd with both a DJ set and a special performance on electric guitar. Tera Patrick, ... Read more...
Vince Neil’s Dr. Feelgood’s is coming to Sin City
Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil has revealed exclusively to Luxe Life that construction is now under way on the second of his Dr. Feelgood’s rock clubs, and he’s kept his promise that it would be in hometown Vegas. However, Vince has decided not to compete directly on the Strip and instead is building it for next year’s opening three miles west of the Strip at Sahara and Rainbow. He opened his first Dr. Feelgood’s Rock Bar & Grill in ... Read more...
Being a couple is ‘a great feeling,’ Angel and Madison say
“We’re having fun” is how Mindfreak magician Criss Angel and new Playboy gal pal Holly Madison explained their weekend string of dates after the premiere of his new Cirque du Soleil show Believe at the Luxor. “We are a couple, and things are really good. Neither of us knows where this is going, but it’s just a great feeling.” They were inseparable all weekend long and toured the “Screamers” haunted maze on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York, which ... Read more...
Morning Call: Nelly celebrates at Lavo
Hip-hop star Nelly celebrated his birthday last night and early this morning at Lavo at the Palazzo. These Luxe Life morning call photos were taken by Luxe Life contributing photographer Denise Truscello. Read more...
Obama makes a final stop in Southern Nevada
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama swept into Henderson on Saturday for a final campaign rally in Nevada, bringing his message for change to a crowd estimated at 15,000 at Coronado High School. Luxe Life contributing photographer Tom Donoghue captured the event, which came near the end a remarkable 2008 presidential campaign in Southern Nevada. Click HERE for the Las Vegas Sun’s story of the remarkable campaign season. Read more...
Breaking News: Andre’s original to bid adieu after 29 years
After 29 years downtown, the original Andre’s restaurant is set to close after the first of the year. Owner Andre Rochat confirmed his decision last night, saying, “I have been a chef for over 50 years — it’s time for me to go fishing.” Rochat’s Monte Carlo restaurant is being remodeled and is due to reopen in early January, at which time the downtown location will change over for only private banquets until it is sold. Rochat’s other restaurant, Alize ... Read more...
Backstage exclusive: Angel traces steps to ‘Believe’
Criss Angel elaborates on the creative process that led to Believe, recounting the development of his dream from his first trip to Las Vegas 15 years ago to the Halloween opening of the production at the Luxor. Read more...
Angel and Madison a “Scream” team at NY-NY
Early this morning, new love mates Criss Angel and Holly Madison celebrated Halloween with a tour of the “Screamers” haunted bridge outside New York-New York. It was a low-key visit without security, and the Mindfreak magician and his The Girls Next Door playmate reveled in the gory, ghoulish, bloody maze built along the Brooklyn Bridge replica. CLICK HERE for our photo coverage of the Friday Halloween wrap-up that included the inside tour of “Screamers.” “They were just a couple of ... Read more...
Famed magicians, Hollywood celebs usher in Believe
The new era of magic on The Strip was ushered in with the unique Criss Angel and Cirque du Soleil partnership. They joined forces for last night’s star-studded world premiere of Believe at the Luxor. Surrounded by hundreds of onlookers and his Loyals, Criss began the festivities by walking the black carpet with Girls Next Door blond beauty Holly Madison on his arm. Joining them on the black carpet were Halloween-costumed Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Lalibertè; the show’s co-writer ... Read more...
Luxor President Rappaport has long history with Cirque
Felix Rappaport has helped launch a few Cirque du Soleil shows over his career as a hotel executive, beginning with Mystere at Treasure Island. Watch as he shares his thoughts about Believe, and addresses Robin Leach’s point about the “teething” process. Read more...
Like magic: Angel and Madison make their romance official
Criss Angel and new ladylove Holly Madison played it right according to plan. They made it official that they are seriously dating, and their romance went public for the first time at last night’s world premiere of his new Cirque du Soleil show Believe. The playboy prince and the blond bunny walked the “Black Carpet” together – arm-in-arm, hand-in-hand exactly as he promised me just an hour before the curtain went up at the Luxor. Holly watched the show with ... Read more...
Believe’s Angel living the dream in Vegas
Excerpts from Friday’s press conference for Criss Angel’s Believe, the $100 million Cirque du Soleil extravaganza that had its world premiere tonight at Luxor. Angel speaks: I’m living the dream: “First I want to thank everybody for attending this afternoon, we very much appreciate your presence here. Many, many years ago, I had the opportunity to watch Cirque in one of the first of their TV productions, and I was in awe of the artistry, the poetry, the emotion provoked ... Read more...
Luxe Life coverage leading to the Believe premiere
Over the past several weeks, Luxe Life has devoted significant coverage to the ambitious Cirque du Soleil/Criss Angel collaboration, Believe at the Luxor. More than $100 million was invested in the unique partnership, the first time Cirque has ever worked with a star performer as a centerpiece in any of its shows. From the ArchivesDay 1Day 2 Day 3Day 4Day 7Day 8Day 9Day 10Angel talks of changesAngel on Cloud 9Angel interviewDenoncourt interviewFun facts about the show Follow the coverage with ... Read more...
Labor Day Weekend: Myriad options in Las Vegas packed into four days
Inflated prices for entry and cabanas at nightclubs. Lines stretching around corners. The final big pool weekend before autumn arrives. LMFAO hosting at ...
Photos: Bridget Marquardt talks bikinis, TV, watches and Las Vegas
The Girls Next Door and Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches star was the snow princess hosting the Stereo Loves Snow Day Moet Ice Imperial champagne party ...
If you are Paris Hilton and Cy Waits, what happens here doesn't stay here
When Las Vegas markets itself as an adult playground, we can't expect that unfortunate incidents involving celebrity ...
With all-star release, Hard Rock Hotel's Joint is guitar heaven
Carlos Santana's VIP guests ranged from India.Arie to Gavin Rossdale to Chris Daughtry as he gave attendees a healthy sampling ...
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