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Luxe Life Blog • Archive for September 2008
Spoiler Alert: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ development
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian was “kicked off” the second round of “Dancing with the Stars” tonight. Viewers on the West Coast — including here in Vegas — will be kept in suspense to the very last seconds of the broadcast when it comes down to a choice between 82-year-old Cloris Leachman and Kim. But my spies on the East Coast couldn’t wait to tell me the news. Vegas hometown girl Toni Braxton is safe along with Vegas visitor Lance Bass. ... Read more...
Father-son feud simmers for Bradley, Bryan Ogden
Vegas food writer and acclaimed gourmet critic John Curtas has shone the spotlight on a major kitchen feud between father and son chefs Bradley Ogden and Bryan Ogden. The two worked alongside each other at the self-named Caesars Palace fine-dining establishment before a fiery blow-up caused Bryan to walk out. He wound up opening the new Company America bistro in the Luxor, but then moved on to open his very own restaurant, the new overnight hip hot star-studded spot in ... Read more...
Cher overcomes illness to return to Caesars
Singing star Cher will headline her song and dance spectacular tonight at Caesars Palace and continue tomorrow and the weekend. She was KO’d by a mystery ailment last week for four shows but has been advised by her doctors that she can resume performances this evening. The details of Cher’s illness have still not been revealed, although it is believed she was suffering an upper respiratory problem. Read more...
Moguls battle at auction over $340,000 world’s best chefs private dinner
It was an all — out bidding war between two prominent Vegas high rollers as they fought to win a one and once-only dinner with seven of the worlds best chefs! I was at the mic handling the auction chores after introducing the lineup of kitchen kings who volunteered to cook an eight-course dinner with paired wines for the winner and 29 other guests! The culinary stars were Vegas heroes Wolfgang Puck (Spago Las Vegas), Joel Robuchon (L’Atelier — MGM), ... Read more...
Braxton, Kardashian, Bass face the music on Dancing With the Stars
Contestants on ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars were given just four days to learn and practice their paso doble and rumba routines last night (Monday). Former Vegas headliner Toni Braxton scored 23 out of a possible 30 with her partner, Alec Mazo, who proved he’s no singer when he joined Toni for a surprise duet before the rumba. Lance Bass had trouble with his paso doble with partner Lacy Schwimmer and only scored 20 out of 30. It ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Sightings and tonight’s tips
* A new modern burlesque show is coming to the Strip thanks to the producers of Phantom of the Opera. Scott Zeiger, head honcho of Base Entertainment, confirms the hiring of Broadway choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Scott says the burlesque-oriented attraction has an eight-figure budget and will be unveiled early in the New Year! I know exactly where it’s headed but have been sworn to secrecy so will have to stay mum a little longer! * Vegas resident Jay Cutler narrowly ... Read more...
Lion King to debut at Mandalay Bay on May 2
Exactly as Luxe Life predicted early yesterday (Click here for that exclusive story) MGM and Disney executives confirmed officially moments ago that the award-winning Broadway phenomenon “The Lion King” will premiere at the Mandalay Bay Theatre on May 2 with preview performances beginning April 20. The Disney musical replaces the Mamma Mia! musical, which will end its near six-year run on Jan. 4. The new Vegas production will join six other highly successful companies of “The Lion King” around the ... Read more...
Million$ in super cars and model trains up for auction
We are just 15 days away from the opening of the largest collectors car and model train auction ever held in Vegas – and as our photos show it’s going to be the ultimate doozy! Collectors are expected from across the globe to bid on everything from iconic vintage racecars to fully functional scale model trains. “We’ve begun the countdown to our first Vegas automotive lifestyle event,” said Craig Jackson, CEO and chairman of the world famous Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. ... Read more...
Best-selling author Dominick Dunne spills his secrets
My writer friend, Steve Freiss, who is also featured here at lasvegasweekly.com, scored big with his exclusive podcast interview with famed author Dominick Dunne — and we wanted to share some of those choice excerpts from TheStripPodcast.Com. On his health, before falling ill at the O.J. trial: “O.J. has been a part of my life for 13 years and I wanted to be here. Once I got back into the courtroom, I got back to my old self. My life ... Read more...
Lo and behold: Bosworth upstaged by reality rival Patridge
Blond beauty Lauren “Lo” Bosworth hit Vegas for a nonstop two-day, two-night, 22nd-birthday bash -– and Hills co-star Lauren Conrad dropped by to join the celebration. But their MTV reality co-star Audrina Patridge stole the show in a sexy swimsuit as she hosted a rival soiree! Luxe Life’s photographers were with her every step of the way on her wild weekend. Lauren began her festivities in a stunning blue dress from co-star Whitney Port’s new Eve & A fashion collection. ... Read more...
Barker en route home
Drummer Travis Barker is now on a specially equipped medical bus with his former wife, Shanna, returning to his Los Angeles home for continued treatment. Luxe Life has learned that he was released from the Doctors Hospital burn unit in Georgia following a fiery LearJet crash in South Carolina that killed two pilots and two passengers. The 24-hour-plus journey should be completed late tomorrow. Travis refused to board an air-ambulance to fly back to California and insisted on traveling home ... Read more...
Angel fans, Luxor execs on Cloud 9, too
After the debut preview performance of Criss Angel’s new Believe show I wrote a report on the first-night crush of fans. CLICK HERE for our early Saturday morning coverage. In the midst of all the extraordinary excitement and action at the Luxor, I couldn’t find its president, Felix Rappaport for his comments, but we caught up over the weekend. He told me: “On behalf of MGM Mirage and Luxor, we were thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive audience reaction last night ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Lindsay Lohan checks into the Palms, Vegas Prom party tonight
Quick hits today because of my three-day working weekend for charity in Los Angeles: *Which star-restaurateur on the Strip possibly has reunited with his ex-wife? It follows a freak motorcycle accident in which he broke both of his ankles when the “hog” wound up falling on top of him and pinning him until medics arrived. *Say it’s not so! Is a major hotel construction project in serious trouble because the tower hasn’t been correctly constructed? Heavy rumors from construction companies ... Read more...
The roar house: Lion King confirmed for Mandalay Bay
Rumors have floated the past 10 days that the Disney Broadway musical Lion King will take over the Mamma Mia! musical space at the Mandalay Bay Theater next spring. Now Luxe Life can confirm from three separate sources that “the deal is done” — and Lion King will roar early next year there. Mandalay Bay executives had looked at touring versions of an American Idol concert show and a Saturday Night Live variety show — but nixed them both. Cast ... Read more...
Miss America heads to Vegas after introducing next contestants
Gorgeous Miss America Kirsten Haglund arrives in Vegas this week to check out the advance plans for January’s 2009 pageant — and I’m going to take her on a secret shopping spree in one of her rare free moments on her crowded reigning year calendar. Kirsten will turn over her crown at the end of January when the new competition is held once again at the Planet Hollywood resort casino. She introduced the new 52 challengers at FOX in Los ... Read more...
All-star celebrity lineup parties hearty on the Strip
Even though recording star Pharrell Williams has labeled his new clothing line as Billionaire Boys Club you don’t have to be a mega-millionaire to look stylish in them. The hip-hop producer launched Billionaire with a dazzling display at the tri-story Barneys New York department store at the Palazzo. He posed for photos and mingled with a crowd of excited fans — including record star and actor Common and hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash. Pharrell returned to the Palazzo after his Mandalay ... Read more...
Lance Armstrong plans another bike win after four-year break
Former world bike champion Lance Armstrong has confirmed he’s returning to cycling after a four-year hiatus! After finishing 22 among 94 competitors in the Vegas cyclo-cross race for the Interbike convention he checked into a Presidential Suite at the Palazzo and dined immediately in Wolfgang Puck’s new CUT restaurant. Next morning he hosted fellow cyclist friends Tyler Phinney, who finished in seventh position during the summer Olympics in Beijing; his father Davis Phinney who won a 1984 bronze Olympic medal ... Read more...
Donny & Marie already looking at two years on the Strip
It looks as if Donny and Marie Osmond will be Strip headliners for at least two years! Luxe Life has learned that negotiations had already gotten underway — even before Thursday’s official opening at the Flamingo — to extend their original six-month contract to 18 months. It is the first time in 29-years they have been reunited for a special variety run! There was an exhausting drama played out backstage at the same time as the successful show opened for ... Read more...
Angel on “Cloud 9” as Believe opens to staggering sales
Tickets for Mindfreak magician Criss Angel’s new live show are “disappearing” even faster than some of the incredible illusions he performs. Cirque du Soleil officials told me at the Luxor last night (Friday) as the curtain went up on the very first preview of Believe that they’ve sold a mind-boggling $5-million worth of tickets right out of the gate! “I’m on Cloud 9,” said an ecstatic Criss moments after the premiere preview ended and his 15-year-dream had come true. A ... Read more...
Cher update: Missed performances add up to nearly $2 million in losses; back Tuesday
Luxe Life can now confirm that Cher has had to miss four performances this week due to illness. Industry experts believe that it adds up to a near $2-million loss. Doctors told her not to work the Tuesday and Wednesday shows. She was “dark” Thursday night and again last night — but hopes for her to return this evening (Saturday) were dashed when she was again advised not to perform. Although no explanation of the illness has yet been released, ... Read more...
Illness forces Cher to cancel weekend shows
Superstar singer Cher is ill and as of 9 p.m. tonight her Caesars Palace shows for the remainder of the weekend have been canceled. Luxe Life is following this developing story. Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings, this weekend’s entertainment tips
* Vegas plays host to a five-day royal visit as the king of Swaziland and his 26-strong entourage arrive by private jet at McCarran later today. Their schedule here is classified as top secret, but our Secret Service will be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly and there is no international incident. The royal retinue has taken over two entire floors of Caesars Palace for their visit with the king, staying in the same suite that was used for ... Read more...
Chefs step to the plate at Wolfgang Puck chef’s dinner
A cavalcade of chefs and other Vegas VIPs are making the journey to Los Angeles in support of starchef Wolfgang Puck’s annual weekend-long American Wine and Food Festival. I’ll be there, too ,handling the MC and auction duties at Sunday’s ninth annual chef’s dinner, with culinary superstars Nobu Matsuhiusa (Hard Rock) and Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand), who both have restaurants here in Vegas. They join kitchen kings, Eric Ripert, Sam Mason, Daniel Humm and Jose Andres in the kitchens at ... Read more...
Nice (Platinum) Tees: Swinging Penthouse pet promotes fore play
Gorgeous Erica Ellyson moved from Mississippi to Vegas to pursue a modeling and showbiz career — and wound up winning this year’s 2008 Penthouse Pet of the Year award! Who would have believed that the self-proclaimed natural athlete is also an avid and experienced golfer! Now she’s joined the 30-strong Platinum Tees, a group of professional female caddies from the Platinum Modeling Agency who provide a fun unique way to spend a day on the course. Easy to see from ... Read more...
Photos of Foo Fighters as they rock the Joint for the first of two sell-out shows
Photographer Erik Kabik was front-row center last night at the first of two consecutive-night sellout Foo Fighters shows at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Erik reports that frontman Dave Grohl led the band through new and classic Foo Fighters material, and the packed house was on its feet enthusiastically singing along for the entire show. He shared this great collection of photos with Luxe Life and now we share them with you. Read more...
First photo of the 52 new Miss America contestants
Talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres today unveils for the first time the 52 new Miss America contestants — and then ‘recruits’ them to “trap” superstar George Clooney. “Surely there’s one beauty queen who can get him to give up his bachelor status,” laughs Ellen. Luxe Life has the first photo of Ellen with the state winners who will all arrive on the Strip at the Planet Hollywood resort casino in January for the Miss America 2009 pageant. Click here to see ... Read more...
DJ AM released from hospital; Barker expected out in two weeks
In a very surprising move, Adam Goldstein — DJ AM, a partner in the LAX nightclub at the Luxor — is expected to be released from the Doctors Hospital burn unit in Georgia later this afternoon (Friday). He is to be flown to Los Angeles tonight for continuing medical treatment. Its exactly one week to the day that a Learjet bringing him home after a South Carolina concert crashed and burst into flames. Initial reportInjuries specifiedRecovery expectedDJ AM photo moments ... Read more...
Lohan, Ronson ceremony planned as couple head to the Strip
Its no secret any longer that the longtime “friendship” between actress Lindsay Lohan and disc jockey Samantha Ronson has turned to love -– and the two now self-confessed lovers openly claim they’re even planning to marry under California law. Tabloids and Internet sites have gone into an overdrive frenzy with the couple’s startling revelations this week. Lindsay has really shocked fans with the news particularly since she was romantically involved and seriously dating former Hard Rock Hotel owner Harry Morton ... Read more...
Believe it: Angel-Madison pairing might have left Hef out
Criss Angel’s back-to-back weekend Vegas nightclub dates this month with Hugh Hefner’s No. 1 Girl Next Door may have triggered a “broken romance” for the Playboy King – and accelerated “crashed dreams” of a wedding for blonde bombshell Holly Madison. Whatever has happened has certainly created dramatic changes in the lives of them all. She admitted this week: “Hef and I are not getting married! We are Partners in Crime.” Then she added mysteriously: “Criss and I are just friends ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Jenna Jameson on bedrest, celeb sightings
*Now that she’s expecting twins, don’t expect to see former porn princess Jenna Jameson out on the town too much. She’s been ordered to bed rest! Before the confirmation of the dual stork arrival, which we first reported this week, she and dad-to-be boyfriend UFC champion Tito Ortiz had one last night of hi-jinx out on the Strip earlier this week. They snuggled up close in one of Zumanity’s front-row signature love sofas at the sexy adult-themed Cirque du Soleil ... Read more...
Mamma Mia musical sets final performance date
Tickets will go on sale tomorrow for the final performance of the ABBA song-based Mamma Mia musical at Mandalay Bay. The curtain comes down on Sunday, Jan. 4, after nearly six years on the Strip. The record-breaking run celebrated more than 2,100 performances watched by 2 million guests. “I am so grateful to the audiences who have supported Mamma Mia! in Las Vegas over six record-breaking years,” said global producer Judy Craymer. “I am proud that the popularity of the ... Read more...
Who got kicked off and who goes forward on Dancing With the Stars
It was a superstar pop-music night on Dancing with the Stars for the third premiere night and teen idols Jesse McCartney and the Jonas Brothers had the ABC-TV studio facing mob-mayhem. But Luxe Life was concentrated on our hometown singing star, Toni Braxton, and regular Vegas visitor, Lance Bass. It was right down to the wire in the final moments of the hour-long telecast last night that both were declared “safe.” It was also touch-and-go scary for reality TV actress ... Read more...
Tonight’s tips on the Strip: Minus 5, Foo Fighters
It’s the cool opening day for the Minus 5 “winter wonderland” lounge at Mandalay Place, where everything is made from ice, so go and chill out (Click here for our coverage on Tuesday) … It might just be the toughest ticket in town but try hard as you can to see The Foo Fighters in two nights of concerts starting this evening at the Hard Rock … The Mr. and Ms. Olympia bodybuilding weekend gets underway at the Orleans Arena ... Read more...
The King rules again, this time at the Riv, for star ceremony
The King! The Legend! The Man who really put Las Vegas on the map! Finally Elvis Presley, who sold more than 600 million singles and albums, will be honored by the Las Vegas Walk of Stars with the 27th star installation tomorrow (Friday) at the Riviera’s Le Bistro room. Only members of the media and invited guests will be permitted, however. Riv-Elvis connection The Viva Las Vegas Elvis Presley Fan Club is sponsoring the Elvis Presley Star, which, its believed, ... Read more...
Multiple surgeries for Barker as he begins recovery fight
A shroud of secrecy has been wrapped around Adam Goldstein and Travis Barker’s treatments at the Georgia burn clinic. However, Luxe Life can confirm that Travis has already undergone “multiple surgeries” and “skin grafts” related to his second- and third-degree torso burns. Good friend Bill Nosel, who is a spokesman for Barker’s Famous Stars and Straps clothing company, has said: “Travis is trying to stay upbeat.” He has started a fund for donations for Travis’ personal assistant, Chris Baker, and ... Read more...
Exclusive interview: Vegas’ Mr. Olympia no mere poser
The most prestigious event in the world of bodybuilding starts today (Thursday) here at the Orleans Arena, and Vegas hero Jay Cutler will compete to defend his Mr. Olympia title for the third consecutive year. The International Federation of Bodybuilders organizes Olympia Weekend and a win at the 44th annual event is regarded as the highest accolade in the field. Jay will compete against 12 other national and international challengers, including Melvin Anthony, Gustavo Badell, Phil Heath, Dexter Jackson and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Ashley Olsen’s romance heats up, tonight’s tip
* Ashley Olsen and National Treasure actor boyfriend Justin Bartha watched the Beatles Love musical by Cirque du Soleil. To avoid distracting the audience and causing a fan-scene, the hand-holding twosome arrived just as the show began and made a quick quiet entrance as the performance ended. Ashley and Justin had a romantic dinner afterwards at Stack in the Mirage enjoying executive chef Brian Massie’s shared plates of yellowtail sashimi, spicy wings, black cod miso lettuce cups and tomato soup ... Read more...
The Too Hot Tamales makeover at mod-Mex Border Grill
With a dramatic redesign, the Too Hot Tamales have given an entirely new look to their two-story Border Grill restaurant at Mandalay Bay. Chef owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have even added a modern twist of 17 new menu items to their classic Border Grill dishes. With executive chef Mike Miner in charge of their kitchen they’ve created a collection of fresh, exotic ceviches and a new class of upscale enchiladas, chile rellenos, tacos and tortas. I’ve known ... Read more...
Hard partying all around town for bikers and celebrities
More than 150 motorcyclists met at stuntman Carey Hart’s southwest valley warehouse –- and then rode in a pack to the Hard Rock led by Carey and pal Jesse Rooke. It was to kick off ‘Ride Night’ at Carey’s “Wasted Space” rock lounge there and the riders got an enthusiastic greeting from an energetic crowd waiting on their valet arrival! No, the valet guys didn’t have to park the monster machines! After posing for photos with resort guests the bikers ... Read more...
A rhumba with a view: Kardashian reveals fancy footwork behind the scenes on Dancing With the Stars
Realty TV performer Kim Kardashian has shot to stardom with her sexy exploits on E! Entertainment’s Keeping Up with the Kardashians — and now the entire family are rooting for her success on ABC’s hit Dancing with the Stars series. Last night (Tuesday) was the second of the three-night premiere for the seventh season. Kim, with defending champion Mark Balas on his third season, as her partner, scored 18 out of a possible 30 for the mambo. Our other favorites, ... Read more...
Did Stones artist Mazur get licked by band in bitter logo battle?
One of the most famous logos in the world is the subject of a bitter feud between its Vegas pop-artist creator and the Rolling Stones. Ruby Mazur created the widely recognized screaming mouth and extended tongue back in 1971, and he was paid $10,000 for the artwork to go solely on the group’s Tumbling Dice album. However, Ruby’s artwork took on an entire life of its own. It has been featured on T-shirts, coffee cups and anything else fans would ... Read more...
Manilow debuts “all new” show with “all old” hits
When songwriting pianist genius Barry Manilow kicks off a whole new series of shows tonight (Wednesday) at the Hilton, it will be nothing but his hits! His old Music and Passion show has been replaced by Ultimate Manilow: The Hits. He’s got a whole new set, a whole new staging extravaganza and an entire new song list. Hilton executives confirmed that the previous show featured both other people’s songs and some of his hits. Now they tell me the new ... Read more...
Exclusive interview: Donny Osmond reveals back-stage secrets and spats with Marie as new Flamingo show celebrates gala opening tomorrow
For the first time in 29 years, brother-sister singing stars Donny and Marie Osmond have reunited for a resident headliner show on the Strip — and the gala premiere is all set for tomorrow night (Thursday), with a VIP audience of well-wishers at the Flamingo. Entertainer Danny Gans, who is about to up from the Mirage for a new run of shows at the Wynn, is one of their producers and he’ll be in the star-studded crowd. Already, other stars ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Star sightings and tonight’s tip
*Luxor comedy headliner Carrot Top is in New York for appearances with Regis and Kelly Lee and a late night stop with David Letterman this week. Before he left Vegas, Carrot Top offered to take every member of his audience one night to Starbucks afterward for coffee – including a female fan who refused to stop texting everything he was doing on stage to another fan back home. *The prosecution in the OJ Simpson trial underway here built a complete ... Read more...
DJ AM’s photo: Minutes before tragic plane crash
Luxe Life has obtained the photo that Adam Goldstein — DJ AM — took on his cell-phone beside the Learjet less than 10 minutes before it crashed killing the two pilots and two passengers. Adam and drummer Travis Barker leapt from the plane in flames before it broke apart in a fireball at midnight on Friday. Click here for our earlier story today of how the photo wound up on his Hard Rock hotel friend’s cell phone early Saturday. Travis ... Read more...
On this calendar, life is just a Fantasy
They are princesses of pulchritude and the glamour girls of glitz. Now the fabulous Fantasy topless revue singers and dancers at the Luxor have their own calendar just so you can enjoy all 365 days of their sexy sizzling smiles! Pinup photographer Jerry Metellus shot the 12 beauties, and together with producer Anita Mann and star choreographer Criss Judd picked the best for each month of the year. The blond and brunette beauties were photographed either nearly naked, in lusty ... Read more...
Pink video gives mixed message about Carey
You decide if Pink still pines for tattooed ex-husband, Carey Hart who owns the Wasted Spaces rock lounge here at the Hard Rock. Her new single ‘sort of’ indicates she’s angry and over him from the lyrics and the video is even more pointed in her blasts at him. Somehow though they wind up arm in arm hugging months after their infamous marital break-up. Click on this link, watch and let us know what’s the real story with Vegas’ s ... Read more...
Our — Brrrrrr — sneak freezing preview inside the Minus 5 ice palace
It’s the coolest place in town! Tired of the non-stop heat and blazing sun with soaring temperatures? Then you can really chill out at the Minus 5 ultra lounge made entirely from ice. Its so cold in there at minus 5 degrees Celsius (that’s about 23 Fahrenheit folks!), no wonder the bartenders and Eskimo bunnies can only take it for an hour at a time, even with special warm-up uniforms! But for us mere mortals it will be an arctic ... Read more...
Siegfried & Roy set Return To Magic date, head to London for royal tribute
Incredible illusionists Siegfried & Roy have set the firm date for their magic comeback. Luxe Life has learned it will be on Saturday on Feb. 28 at the Keep Memory Alive gala to be held at the Bellagio as a Power of Love fundraiser for the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute downtown. The two magical masters of the impossible confirmed the date as they left this week for a Royal tribute at the world famous London Palladium. Thousands of fans worldwide ... Read more...
Ne-Yo picks Pure for debut of single from new album
Hometown recording artist and songwriter Ne-Yo decided a local Strip nightclub would be the perfect spot to debut his first single from a brand new album Year of the Gentleman that premiered next morning! Just before 2 a.m. the Grammy Award winning hip-hop R&B sensation went into DJ Hollywood’s booth at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace. Ne-Yo grabbed the mic and gave an electrifying impromptu performance of his chart-topping track “Closer.” It got such a rave reaction he then serenaded ... Read more...
DJ Am sent pre-flight photo to Hard Rock Hotel friend
I’ve obtained updated news on the cell-phone photo that DJ AM- Adam Goldstein — sent right from beside the Learjet minutes before he boarded the ill-fated flight that killed four people and badly burned him and fellow-passenger Travis Barker. He sent it to a cell phone owned by a VIP cabana host bartender at the Hard Rock Hotel pool in Las Vegas -– and Adam’s pal first saw it BEFORE the crash. It was only the next day when he ... Read more...
First night Dancing With the Stars injuries and results
Hometown singing star Toni Braxton and two regular Vegas visitors, Kim Kardashian and Lance Bass, were among the safe high-scorers on the premiere night of the new seventh season of Dancing with the Stars. Toni earlier this year had to give up her show at the Flamingo after doctors ordered her to completely rest after she was rushed to a Vegas hospital with heart-muscle medical problems. One dancing couple will be eliminated tonight from the 13 celebrities and a second ... Read more...
Jenna Jameson confirms she’s expecting twins
Former porn princess Jenna Jameson is “ecstatic” she and her beau, Tito Ortiz, a former UFC fighter, are expecting twins. She confirmed the news late Monday night. In an e-mail headlined “Twins!” the Vegas-born beauty wrote: “Yes everyone, I can officially confirm that Tito and I are expecting twins! I had my second ultrasound today and was greeted by two big healthy babies with pounding hearts. I can’t even express the extreme serenity that came over me once I saw ... Read more...
Entourage stars hit jackpot with $30,000 payday as they kick off SushiSamba party
It was a double jackpot win for the Entourage cast! Not only did they hit a winning $30,000 craps-shootout at the Palazzo but also a $1,700 blackjack win when they opened the new $14 million SushiSamba restaurant and SugarCane ultra lounge with an exciting Brazilian extravaganza. Actors Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and actress Emmanuelle Chriqui happily showed me their winnings when I interviewed them on the “orange carpet” for the premiere gala night. “It was a ... Read more...
Trump decision leaves Star Chefs event looking for seating
Real-estate mogul Donald Trump had mixed emotions when his chef Joe Isidori and his sommelier Michael Shearin were named as two of the city’s brightest and best up-and-coming culinary talents by StarChefs.com. Originally the two winners were set to pick up their trophies at a ceremony in his new “golden shine” hotel opposite the Wynn. However, since the announcement was made, both men have lost their jobs in staffing cutbacks at the property and their restaurant has changed direction and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings, tonight’s tips
*Sad to report the bust-up of a long-time business partnership between two highly prominent Vegas personalities. Out of respect to them I won’t give out names but am pleased to say they’ve agreed to remain friends, although no longer partners. The decision was made when one of them brought in a new chief financial officer who decided to shake up some of the business situations. *Planet Hollywood and Vegas were all over last night’s TV screens. First there was the ... Read more...
Hills hottie Heidi Montag celebrates No. 22; Angel, Madison at Robson’s bash at Blush
Hills hottie Heidi Montag celebrated her lavish 22nd birthday bash at the new Christian Audigier nightclub at Treasure Island –- and longtime boyfriend, Spencer Pratt, was right on hand-to-hand to ensure the night was one long special occasion. The happy loving twosome first dined upstairs at the Social House sushi spot and afterwards walked the red carpet posing for photos and singing autographs for a mob of excited fans. Inside the club Heidi and Spencer got the crowd to toast ... Read more...
Pam Anderson makes it No. 14 with Playboy
The birthday-cake treat that busty blond beauty Pamela Anderson performed at Hugh Hefner’s Palms penthouse has won her yet another Playboy nude layout! She jumped out of the cake in her birthday suit -– wearing only her very high heels! Pamela gave Hef a lap-dance, which he loved -– and now even though she’s 41 years old she’ll grace the pages again. To date, Pamela has appeared in 13 previous Playboy layouts including covers and centerfold shoots. She is a ... Read more...
Barker, DJ AM recovering from second-, third-degree burns but full recovery expected
Updated at 2:48 p.m. Luxe Life has been notified by doctors at the Joseph M. Still Burn center at Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta that there will be no further comments or information pertaining to the conditions of Travis Barker and Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein. The new ‘veil of silence’ ruling was sent to media representatives around the world moments ago but no reason was given. “We will share no further comments on their conditions while they are being treated in ... Read more...
DJ AM suffers serious burns on face, Barker on lower half of body
Doctors treating Travis and Adam will meet the media at 6 a.m. Pacific Time tomorrow (Sunday) morning and disclose the extent of the burn injuries and the methods being used to treat the two patients. Sources report that DJ AM was seriously burned on his face and that Travis was seriously burned from the waist down on both legs. Both men apparently ripped the burning clothing off each other in the seconds after they jumped from the crashed plane as ... Read more...
Travis Barker and DJ AM in critical condition after fatal plane crash
Statement from Michael Greco, Pure Management Group’s vice president of entertainment: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to both Adam and Travis. The PMG family is deeply saddened by the news of this unfortunate event and we wish Adam and Travis a speedy recovery and send our sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones.” Drummer Travis Barker and Vegas DJ Adam Goldstein were fighting for their lives this morning in a Georgia hospital’s burn unit following a fiery ... Read more...
Special Janet Jackson photo gallery
Pop superstar Janet Jackson thrilled fans on the Vegas stop of her first tour in seven years. Janet’s Rock Witchu musical dance spectacular ran over two hours at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and photographer Erik Kabik captured this extraordinary photo collection for Luxe Life. Enjoy our special photo gallery and click back on Monday for Luxe Life’s full report of all the weekend star-happenings on the Strip — and to see if big brother Michael Jackson managed to ... Read more...
Jessica Simpson nixes pregnancy rumors in Vegas
Blonde beauty Jessica Simpson isn’t pregnant! She nixed the baby-bump rumors last night when she performed at George Maloof’s Pearl theater in the Palms. Earlier he had escorted the now-country singer, in a figure-fitting pair of skin-tight jeans, up to the Moon nightclub in the Fantasy Tower as part of a charity fundraiser. Jessica held her “meet and greet” at the fifth-annual Night Out to benefit our Rape Crisis Center hosted by local TV news anchor Nina Radetich. George introduced ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Events this weekend in Vegas
*Former NFL superstar linebacker turned movie actor Brian Bosworth dined at the swank Dos Caminos mod-Mex restaurant in the Palazzo and talked about a new slot machine he’s making and promoting. The former University of Oklahoma and Seattle Seahawks sports great was with singer Anita Bryant’s husband, Charlie Dry, from Oklahoma, who is involved in gaming interests there. They told me the new slot machine will be unveiled early next year and it shows the often radical-hairstyled Brian at full-speed ... Read more...
Exclusive: Daredevil Robbie Knievel swaps Caesars for Mirage volcano in world record attempt
It’s the story you won’t read anywhere else. Daredevil Robbie Knievel won’t be jumping the fountains of Caesars Palace on New Year’s Eve after all — but his quest for a new world distance record will still take place in Vegas on Dec. 31! Luxe Life has exclusively learned –- and confirmed — that instead of water he will leap through fire. Robbie will now jump the new Mirage volcano right on the Strip. He will hurtle at over 100 ... Read more...
Star-studded events kick off Hard Rock Hotel’s hedonistic Poker Lounge
It’s been nothing but stars and sports heroes playing the winning hand since this week’s grand opening of the new hedonistic Hard Rock casino hotel’s Poker Lounge. The red-carpet opening was a star-studded affair complete with the “Godfather of Poker” Doyle Brunson. He was accompanied by Anjela and Pam Brunson. Other princely poker professional players included Chad Layne, Jeff Schulman, “Iceman” Teddy Monroe, Adam Schoenfeld, Jeremiah Smith, Barry Schulman, Kenny Goldstein and Rick Fuller. Additional guests included Sam Talbot from ... Read more...
Richards of Danity Kane able, willing to hit HTZ for No. 25; Mario super in Extra duty
Congratulations to Dawn Richards, one of the gorgeous singers in the chart-topping pop group Danity Kane on hitting the first quarter-century mark! She reveled in her 25th birthday celebrations at the Torrid nightclub inside the Hawaiian Tropic Zone at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. Dawn, sipped on Grey Goose vodka cocktails and also enjoyed a special birthday version of celebrity chef David Burke’s famous “Cheesecake Lollypop” tree! Fans turned out in force to greet her –- and she happily posed for ... Read more...
Mandalay Bay cooling on American Idol, SNL productions
It doesn’t appear that the proposed live-stage versions of an American Idol or “Saturday Night Live shows will hit the Vegas strip as early as thought. Producers of both had been hoping to land a berth for them at either the Paris Las Vegas theater or Mandalay Bay’s theater when the Mamma Mia musical exits and goes out singing and dancing in February after a successful five-year run. Luxe Life can confirm that, although the giant Cirque du Soleil organization ... Read more...
Timberlake announces all-star lineup for charity concert
The reigning princes and princesses of pop-royalty have all signed on to help their king, Justin Timberlake ‘s charity effort here in Vegas at the Planet Hollywood resort theater on Oct. 17. Rihanna, The Jonas Brothers, Adam Levine of Maroon5, 50 Cent, Boyz II Men, Will i.am, Leona Lewis and Esmee Denters were confirmed late last night (Thurday) as his all-star lineup. The benefit is for the Shriners Hospitals for Children and Justin’s stunning show will cap a week of ... Read more...
Exclusive photos as Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupree treat tour-mates to early Vegas visit
It was a night on the town for superstar Janet Jackson and her hip-hop boyfriend, record producer Jermaine Dupree. They arrived last night (Thursday) and treated their band, their backup singers and dancers to a relaxing dinner at the new two-story lavish LAVO restaurant nightclub in the Palazzo. More than 40 of their group took over a private dining room in the back of the Moroccan-Mediterranean themed complex. Jermaine is a good pal and told me that he’s expecting Janet’s ... Read more...
Exclusive: Backstage interview with Criss Angel as Believe is moved to Halloween
It’s just two days after Cirque du Soleil officially moved the opening of Mindfreak magician Criss Angel’s show back to a definite Halloween Eve premiere on Oct. 31. I sit in the star’s dressing room backstage at the new Luxor theater. Criss is stretched out on the floor, having just eaten a small filet mignon and vegetable dinner after rehearsals. He has an hour before a massage and another full run-through of the new Believe show. He’s relaxed, in a ... Read more...
At Believe, the magic starts the moment you enter
Step just past the new box office and Believe souvenir merchandize store and the magical journey into Criss Angel’s playpen palace of prestidigitation begins right there. You’ll walk down two long hallways that feature amazing framed “paintings”. These are no ordinary works of art. They all move and change as you pass by. The images go through three, maybe four, transformations as you watch them- mesmerized. All feature Criss or Lucky the Rabbit and are totally unique and spellbinding. Enter ... Read more...
Fun facts about the inner workings of Believe
*The cast comprises 22 people including three musicians and one singer. *There are three rabbits with human performers inside: one small, one medium and one that stands upside down on its ears. *There are also rats, moles, birds and sinister giants that are built from human bodies – a hybrid of the performer’s body and the creature. *The completely robotic rabbit that delivers the pre-show announcements is equipped with 11 servos linked to the theatre’s sound system. *One huge robotic ... Read more...
Hating magic shows, Believe director Denoncourt took on ambitious Angel-Cirque project
Serge Denoncourt is Believe’s co-writer and director, and although he has 80 major productions on his resume, at age 18 he was planning on a medical career. But then he decided to audition for a college theater program, was accepted and on his 1983 graduation decided to become an actor. Four years later he directed his first piece and from that point on he was cooked on the behind-the-scenes creativity and challenges. Now just 46 years of age, he is ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Rival boxers meet by coincidence, and Jessica Simpson’s baby bump?
*Rumors have started that as incredible impressionist Danny Gans prepares to leave his long run at the Mirage to start a whole new headliner residency at the Wynn Las Vegas, he might well be taking another Strip headliner with him. The magical idea, apparently, is that four nights a week the other star would handle early show duties prior to Danny’s later performance and when Danny’s former Monty Python theater (being renamed folks) is “dark.” *Blonde-haired and beautiful Jessica Simpson ... Read more...
Extraordinary new celebrity chefs restaurants set to open in City Center’s Aria resort-casino
MGM executives will announce later today (Thursday) an extraordinary new lineup of celebrity chef restaurants that will open late next year at the Aria resort-casino — one of the mind-boggling building attractions at City Center, the dazzling $11-billion vertical city nearing construction completion at center Strip. The list of stellar chefs set to oversee its culinary offerings stars “the biggest names of the business” ever assembled under one roof — and includes two total newcomers to the Vegas culinary scene. ... Read more...
Britney guided by svengali in pop wreck-to-pop princess saga
The headlines read, “Meet the man who transformed Britney from a shaven-headed monster to the star of the MTV awards”. British showbiz expert Richard Price says Larry Rudolph, the pop guru who made Britney a global star is back in her life — and he might just have saved her life, too. News colleagues at my former Fleet Street newspaper, the Daily Mail, have chronicled her yearlong recovery reporting, “What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, Britney Spears ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Where’s Lindsay? Enrique Iglesias in town
*There was no sign of actress Lindsay Lohan when her galpal Samantha Ronson took over the DJ booth at the Bank nightclub in the Bellagio. The couple has announced that they plan to marry under the new California same-sex weddings rule. Samantha will be back in town again on Saturday for Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto show at Rain in the Palms, so maybe fiancé Lindsay will be on her arm. *To ensure there’s no confusion, entertainer impressionist Gordie Brown is returning ... Read more...
Top chef reveals the good, the bad and the ugly of cooking business
Thomas Keller is widely hailed as America’s very best chef. With his Michelin three-star restaurants French Laundry in Napa Valley and Per Se in New York City, plus his Bouchon here at the Venetian, he has won raves from foodies, critics and even rival top chefs. Today, winning chefs not only toil in the kitchen, but also out front with their restaurant guests and as business people who design their own table linens, crockery and cutlery! A longtime culinary chum, ... Read more...
Stars love the Cirque shows
During a visit to Vegas, comedy movie star Chris Tucker returned to see Cirque’s water-themed O show at the Bellagio. Also attending were Amber Heard of Pineapple Express and up and coming actress from Gilmore Girls and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Alexis Bledel … International fashion royal Roberto Cavalli skipped New York’s Fashion Week for a Vegas trip, where he reveled in the sensual side of Cirque at Zumanity in the New York New York hotel casino. He and ... Read more...
Exclusive: Angel’s new TV contract signed, sealed – and will be delivered
“Loyal” fans of Mindfreak magician Criss Angel can breathe a deep sigh of relief. Luxe Life has officially learned and exclusively confirmed that the illusionist has had his top-rated A&E cable show renewed by network executives. Criss Angel Web siteMindfreak Web site So the fifth season will go ahead, guaranteeing that Criss will see the 100th show on the series. I asked him backstage in his new Cirque du Soleil Believe dressing room at the Luxor how on Earth he ... Read more...
Knot again: Serial bride Pam Anderson gets “hitched” in Moscow
Blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson has three failed marriages under her garter belt -– and yet she “went and did it again.” This time the “wedding” – complete with stunning white brides gown — was captured on video behind Russia’s onetime Iron Curtain in Moscow. Marriage 1 was to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, and that union produced two sons and an explicit sex tape! Marriage 2 was the six-month fling with Kid Rock. Marriage 3 was even shorter, lasting less ... Read more...
After De La Hoya-Pacquiao, Mayweather might un-retire
When Vegas’ own boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. told me he was retiring from the ring he said he would never fight again — unless it was for something extraordinary and an all-time giant payday that he could donate to his foundation charity. Now it appears that might just happen, thanks to Vegas moguls Bob Arum and George Maloof — both of whom are neighbors and live near me. Bob is the promoter of December’s huge fight between Oscar De ... Read more...
Placido Domingo goes from opera stage to post-midnight party
World-famous opera singer Placido Domingo simply dazzled the enthusiastic sold-out crowd at Planet Hollywood’s Theater for the Performing Arts with an emotional and exciting two-hour concert. He was accompanied by the 75-strong brilliant Las Vegas Philharmonic led by Eugene Kohn and sizzling soprano Ana Marie Martinez from Puerto Rico. Placido went from black tuxedo to white dinner jacket to casual black shirt. Then, as it was a Mexican Independence concert, he donned a traditional metal-studded outfit to sing the Mexican ... Read more...
Stars rally again for Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children
Superstar singers Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow will join rockers the Killers and comedian David Spade as headliners for the 13th annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit to be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Wynn Las Vegas. Almost 100,000 fans and VIP guests have attended the past 12 Grand Slam events, raising more than $70 million for Andre’s charity. Several other top performers and surprise guests will apparently be added to the star-studded roster when Grammy Award-winning ... Read more...
Exclusive photos: Pop idol Jesse McCartney unveils automobile slots
Top-pop star and budding car collector Jesse McCartney helped unveil the new Barrett-Jackson slot machines at Mandalay Bay. He chatted with Barrett-Jackson head honcho Craig Jackson, and expressed a little envy over Jackson’s own personal collection of vehicles. Jesse, who owns a 1961 Bel Air, said he is looking to add a ’67 Chevelle to his own collection. As several ’67 Chevelles have been consigned for Barrett-Jackson’s first-ever Las Vegas auction at Mandalay Bay taking place Oct. 16-18, Jesse promised ... Read more...
Arrival of illusionist Barry, Angel’s push-back heats up competition among magicians on Strip
The push-back of magician Criss Angel’s new Cirque du Soleil Believe show to Oct. 31— Halloween -– now puts him in direct confrontation with an upstart British hypno-illusionist who wants to steal the Mindfreak’s No. 1 title. Thirty-two-year-old, Irish-born mentalist Keith Barry will open his first-ever Strip run just three days earlier — on Oct. 28 — for a one-month introductory run at Planet Hollywood’s mezzanine showroom. CBS aired his debut hourlong magic special -– and it sent ratings and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Arum lauded by Gaming Hall of Fame
*Congratulations to our hometown-boxing hero Bob Arum, my neighbor here who will be inducted tonight (Tuesday) into the Gaming Hall of Fame for his fight promotion contributions to the gaming industry. His fellow honoree at the Caesars Palace dinner will be rival boxing promoter Don King. Tomorrow here in Luxe Life, Bob spills an amazing secret about his upcoming Dec. 6 fight for his Philippine champion Manny Pacquiao going up against boxing’s biggest star, Oscar De La Hoya. It’s a ... Read more...
Wyrick unveils custom chopper to celebrate 1,000th show
To celebrate his 1,000th Strip show, magician Steve Wyrick made one heckuva fancy motorcycle appear outside his Miracle Mile showroom at the Planet Hollywood. It came complete with the Orange County Choppers: Paul Teutuls Sr., Paul Jr. and Mikey Teutuls, who designed and built the SW100 especially for our Vegas-based man of magic. The unveiling was filmed for a new Discovery Channel series with the men of motorcycles! Steve hosted his celebration party at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone Strip-side dining ... Read more...
Jesse McCartney joins 90210 Hollywood stars for parties all over the Strip
Movie actress Alexis Bledel from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 made it a two-day 27th birthday celebration weekend at the Prive hotspot nightclub in Planet Hollywood. Vern “Mini-Me” Troyer, electro hip-hop band LMFAO and Kevin Federline all arrived after 2 a.m. to join the celebration from the club’s exclusive Table 69. Alexis, best known as Rory from the Gilmore Girls, had a low key celebration the first night but really kicked it up a notch the next night ... Read more...
Fantasy showgirls shed inhibitions — and skimpy costumes — for new 2009 calendar
Backstage secrets of the topless Fantasy adult revue will be revealed when the new super-sexy 2009 calendar is released tonight – and as you would expect, Luxe Life has the advance peek at all the fabulous photos. I’m the first to tell you that a perfect picture of pulchritude is worth 1,000 words — so I’ll be brief deliberately so you get to enjoy more art than ink! The luscious leggy ladies start tonight with a 6:30 p.m. private cocktail ... Read more...
Tonight’s tips: Celebrate independence at Dos Caminos
OLE! It’s officially Mexican Independence Day and Dos Caminos restaurant and lounge in the Palazzo turns up the heat with an entertainment-filled night, fueled by the hot spot’s tequila cocktails and spicy “south of the border” dishes. DJ Carlos Sanchez spins Latin Funk starting at 8 p.m. with backings by percussionist Cayce Woody and trumpeter Rico DeLargo welcoming the Mayan Kings, who take the stage at 10 p.m., followed by the DJ stylings of The Martinez Brothers at 11 p.m. ... Read more...
New $25 million Mirage casino will include a 900-degree fireball!
The new $25 million Mirage volcano will explode as the Strip’s newest tourist attraction with 15-foot-high fireballs and 120-foot-high water jets starting Dec. 8. It will be so hot that visitors will warm up by 11 degrees from the 900-degree fireballs and eruptions during the nearly five-minute searing, steamy show! MGM Mirage officials won special clearances and authorizations for the fiery ignitions and specially developed first-in-the-world FireShooters from our very cautious fire department. Now they have finalized plans with our ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Siegfried & Roy, Louis Vuitton launch
*It was appropriate that German-born “Magicians of the Century” Siegfried & Roy were first up to tap into the spirit of the annual Oktoberfest celebrations here at the Hofbrauhaus. As is tradition, our hometown illusionists tapped the first keg of the delicious brew — and stuck around to enjoy it with plenty of sausages and bratwurst! *Employees of swank leather and handbag empire Louis Vuitton swear that a brand new LV boutique designer label will launch with America’s largest display ... Read more...
Exclusive interview: Marie Osmond’s incredible 20-hour work day, juggling dual roles as single mom to eight kids and performing as a Strip headliner
Marie Osmond is a wonder-woman and human dynamo. Her 20-hour work-day, juggling her new dual roles as Strip headliner at the Flamingo and being a single mother to eight kids at her new Vegas home, still leaves her room to launch a new book — and get ready for a new daily TV talk show next year! She’s reveling in it all — and you can see the sheer enjoyment onstage when she’s singing, dancing, jumping, joking, laughing and comfortably ... Read more...
Drescher’s personal crusade, Hilton’s star power boost NVCI fundraisers
Actress Fran Drescher pulled no punches about her battle with cancer when she attended a book reading and autograph session of her Cancer Schamancer at the Nevada Cancer Institute HQ’d here. She toured the facility and greeted patients in the chemotherapy infusion suite. It was a standing-room-only crowd when she read from her best selling book. The Nanny star admitted she’d struggled for two years and met with eight doctors before getting an accurate diagnosis. “ he Nevada Cancer Institute ... Read more...
DeGeneres, Seinfeld top list of comics at The Comedy Festival
Newly married talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres, and fellow top comic Jerry Seinfeld will return again for this year’s Caesars Palace Comedy Festival starting Nov. 20. Ellen will present another Really Big Show variety special from the Colosseum, where Jerry will also do his standup act. No word yet on Ellen’s acts or guest stars, but it will definitely air again on TBS cable. Television’s No. 1 comedy network joins forces with AEG Live, one of the largest concert promotion and ... Read more...
Stars turn out for $1 million gala opening of Lavo
It was a 48-hour, $1 million marathon of Hollywood star maneuvers as they invaded Vegas for the gala weekend official opening of the new Lavo nightlife restaurant and boutique club at the Palazzo. It may well go down in the record books for being the most star-studded restaurant opening of all time! Click here for last Thursday’s sneak peek preview of the Mediterranean and Moroccan-themed restaurant, lounge and nightclub. Click here for yesterday’s initial look at the stars as they ... Read more...
Tonight’s tips: Planet Hollywood turns operatic with Domingo; Fernandez takes the stage at Mandalay Bay
The Mexican Independence celebrations continue with the greatest operatic artist of modern times, Placido Domingo in an extraordinary concert at the Theatre for the Performing Arts in the Planet Hollywood resort casino. He’ll celebrate afterwards at a Forplay lingerie model-decorated after-party in the nearby Prive nightclub there with record producer and hip-hop artist Ryan Leslie throwing out the Benjamins at the Money for Nothing party … Alezandro Fernandez continues the Ole festivities in concert at the Mandalay Bay events center ... Read more...
Wynn’s employment contract extended through 2020
Wall Street sources confirmed this morning (Monday) that Steve Wynn’s employment agreement with his Wynn and Encore properties in Las Vegas and Macau has been renewed through to Oct. 24, 2020. He doesn’t get to up his paycheck or boost his bonus plans because all other terms of his contract remain unchanged. The news leaked out in a new Wynn filing with the Securites & Exchange Commission today in Washington DC. “It sure demonstrates Steve’s faith and commitment not only ... Read more...
First photos of LAVO’s celeb-packed opening
The star-studded party to celebrate the official gala opening of the new LAVO restaurant and nightclub at the Palazzo, was still rocking strong this morning — and we’ve got the first photos! It attracted everyone from Entourage’s Kevin Connolly, with his own seven-pack of blonde and brunette beauties, to hip-hop king Busta Rhymes, who insisted on decorating me with his blinged-out necklace! Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am left his dinner spot and jumped on the DJ booth to twist the ... Read more...
Exclusive: Believe previews extended, opening now set for Halloween
Luxe Life can officially confirm that the Cirque du Soleil $150-million Criss Angel spectacular Believe has moved its gala premiere to Halloween, Oct. 31. Previews will go ahead to start Sept. 26 as we reported after a third staging delay moved the originally hoped-for August dates. The premiere had been reset for Oct. 10 last time around. Cirque’s creative team has determined that the “preview period” will run as originally intended — to the original five weeks. A Cirque official ... Read more...
Star Surveillance: Kittens settle into CatHouse
*Hef’s favorite Girl Next Door beauty, Holly Madison, was sipping champagne with Playmate of the Year Sara Underwood at Kerry Simon’s CatHouse restaurant and club in the Luxor. Also there UFC’s fighter Chuck Liddell and his fiancé, who joined Jesse Waits in the ultra lounge … Even before tomorrow’s official opening of LAVO, the newest hot spot in the Palazzo, former ’NSYNC member and current Dancing With The Stars contestant Lance Bass dined with friends. His group enjoyed a specially ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Wyrick has a grand time
*Congratulations to illusionist Steve Wyrick who celebrates his 1,000th magic show tonight (Friday) at his theater in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. The red carpet begins at 6 p.m. with the cast of Orange County Choppers followed at 7pm by the 1000th show in the Steve Wyrick Theater. As part of the celebration he’ll make a SW-100 motorcycle appear, as TV cameras film the Teutuls cast from Discovery Channel’s American Chopper, right on the Strip outside the Hawaiian Tropic Zone at ... Read more...
Sexy undies are mandatory in Palms’ attempt to grab underwear world record
It will be as if the lacy-lingerie models have stepped right out of the pages of the Victoria’s Secret and Frederick’s of Hollywood underwear catalogs – and into the Palms pool this afternoon. Bras and panties are de rigeur today as Maverick magazine tries to break the Guinness world record for the most “underwear-only” guests at an open-air party. Some 2,500 have signed up for the exhibitionists delight! Playboy playmate Alison Waite will host the officiated proceedings, which are actually ... Read more...
Two Strip hotels find ways to beat possible New Year’s fireworks ban
There have been confirmations up and down the Strip about our shocking story earlier this week about the proposed fireworks ban on New Years Eve. I’ve learned though that the first two hotels to come up with approved solutions are Planet Hollywood and the Luxor. At Planet Hollywood the fireworks will be set off from the roof of the all concrete parking structure on the rear service road behind the resort. Over at the Luxor they will use an empty ... Read more...
Another Hollywood invasion for gala opening of Lavo
Expect to see an amazing turnout of celebrities and VIPs on the red carpet tomorrow for the official gala opening of the new Lavo restaurant at the Palazzo. Click here for our sneak photo preview yesterday of the new Moroccan-Mediterranean restaurant and nightclub that the partners from Tao next door at the Venetian have created. Among the many celebrities to walk the red carpet for the photog-flashes will be Angie Harmon and Jason Seahorn, Nicky Hilton, Mario Lopez, will.i.am, David ... Read more...
Ole! A sensational set of Latin stars arrive for fight, Mexican independence celebrations
It’s a red white and green weekend. Ole! Everybody goes Mexican for the next four-days — and it all starts tonight. What we do every year since 1776 on July 4 Mexicans do every Sept. 16 to celebrate their 1810 independence from Spain. Thousands of Latinos arrive today for the four-day long weekend celebrations. Funnyman Gabriel Iglesias from Comedy Central and Last Comic Standing is part of the Mexican fiesta festivities at Monte Carlo for two nights starting this evening. ... Read more...
Pregnancy rumors swirl around Jessica Simpson as she prepares for Vegas trip
The rumor mills are busy churning with buzz that blonde bombshell Jessica Simpson and her Dallas Cowboys football star boyfriend Tony Romo are expecting a baby! We’ll find out for certain when the now-country singer arrives here Thursday for a VIP cocktail reception at the Moon nightclub in the Palms followed by her concert at the Pearl theater. Jessica is starring at the fifth-annual Night Out benefit to raise funds for our Rape Crisis Center. Local Channel 13 news anchor ... Read more...
Figures show massive slump in Vegas visitors
The nationwide economic slowdown is really hurting Las Vegas. In the July figures just released this morning, total air passenger traffic was down 8.6 percent against last July’s numbers and the average daily auto traffic count was down a further 6.4 percent over last July — less and less people are flying and driving into our desert hotspot. The statistics show that the overall year-over-year July comparisons show total visitor count dropped from 3,378,193 to 3,222,456, and actual room inventory ... Read more...
Robinson’s “shot” voice leads to Black Crows cancellation
Rock group the Black crows canceled out of their Hard Rock Hotel concert set for Saturday. Lead singer Chris Robinson who was married to Kate Hudson, says his voice is shot and doctors have ordered him not to perform the three weekend shows they were doing here and in California. Read more...
Poetry owner sends letter to customers
Following Luxe Life’s disclosures yesterday ( Wednesday) - CLICK HERE for that explosive story — about the “racial profiling” court case filed against the Forum Shops and Caesars Palace we have obtained a letter from Mike Goodwin, managing partner of the Poetry nightclub he’s just sent out to his patrons. Luxe Life is the first to obtain this communication and it hints broadly that air-conditioning problems may have been deliberately manipulated against his club. Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Happy birthday wishes, new restaurant opening
*Happy birthday to innovative magician Jeff McBride, who will celebrate it with the audience at his Wonderground interactive club after his Magic At the Edge shows tomorrow and Saturday at the Sound Trax showroom in the Palace Station. Jeff’s special guests will be international comedy magic man Scott Hitchcock, mind-reader Paul Draper and some of Jeff’s own Mystery School magicians. Incidentally, so many people who have been baffled and bewildered by Jeff’s amazing magic feats in the show that he ... Read more...
Rachel Bilson celebrates the ultimate bachelorette party as stars party around the Strip
Actress Rachel Bilson hosted the ultimate bachelorette party as her best friend, Jill Stonerock, prepared to say goodbye to single life and tie the knot. Rachel and the posse partied with dancing and singing till the wee hours at The Bank nightclub in the Bellagio. The girls even took turns feeding each other cake! Rachel was launched to stardom with her role as Summer Roberts on the hit TV series The O.C. and her on-and-off screen romance with co-star Adam ... Read more...
Exclusive preview photos: Peek at the new luxury Lavo nightspot
A million-dollar-plus spending spree in Spain, Morocco, Turkey, France and Italy has all wound up here on the Strip. The extensive travels by Rich Wolfe and Mark Packer, owners of the top-grossing Tao restaurant at the Venetian, have resulted in a brand new nightspot: Lavo. Now with all the shopping finished and the goodies imported safely and on display at the Palazzo, the unique restaurant and boutique nightclub celebrates its official gala celebrity opening this weekend. As expected, Luxe Life ... Read more...
Star Surveillance: Alice Cooper plays at SushiSamba
Rocker Alice Cooper treated members of his band to a “birthday”-styled party at the new SushiSamba hotspot in the Palazzo –- and members of the Skid Row group joined the party for Latin American-Japanese food treats followed by mojitos and caipirinha and saketinis in the adjoining SugarCane ultra lounge. …. Solange Knowles joined Lupe Fiasco for dinner at Sushi Roku in the Forum Shops at Caesars. First, though, they stopped in at the neighboring Houdini’s Magic Shop to buy tricks ... Read more...
Tonight’s tip: Don’t resist the Temptations
Forty-years and still going strong with hit after hit of classic Motown sounds. The Temptations have literally produced an avalanche of pop-songs on everybody’s lips — including “ My Girl,” “Get Ready.” “Treat Her Like A Lady,” and “The Way you do the Things You Do.” Their sensational singing, perfect presentations, smooth steps of flair, flash and class as they do “The Walk” at The Orleans through Sunday night TOMORROW’S TEASE: It’s got to be the most unusual attempt to ... Read more...
Gordie Brown headed back to Golden Nugget
Luxe Life has learned that entertainer Gordie Brown will become the new resident headliner at the Golden Nugget downtown when his current tour with Celine Dion ends! The Canadian-born Vegas resident was originally headlining at the Venetian before Wayne Brady signed a long-term contract. Gordie then became the main headliner at David Saxe V Theater in the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood. Fellow Canadian, Celine Dion personally picked the impressionist to open the North American leg of her current world ... Read more...
Hollywood paparazzi invasion rattles Britney, Paris
Britney was baffled and bewildered. Paris was, quite frankly, simply pissed! Insiders from both stars’ camps told me they are angry and upset at the swarm of paparazzi cameraman that stalked them through casinos here on recent simultaneous visits. At one point, Paris felt so threatened for her safety that she and her sister, Nicky, and her beaufriend, David Katzenberg, fled into a fashion boutique for safety to “hide out” until their limo arrived! Britney was irate that spy photos ... Read more...
X-otic, X-citing X-Girls take shape at Flamingo
It’s the show that Donny & Marie Osmond will probably never see — even though they are under the same roof at the Flamingo. However, when entertainment runs the gamut from “family wholesome” to “adult fun,” a resort has to offer up something for everybody. Since we never need an excuse to run new photos of gorgeous girls -– and because a pretty picture is worth a thousand words, here’s beauty by the barrel-load. Luxe Life has the first look ... Read more...
Kobe nixes hand surgery, opts to play in Vegas exhibition game vs. Kings
Olympic gold medal-winner and L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant is coming to Vegas after all for the pre-season exhibition game against the Maloof family’s Sacramento Kings! Fans and Laker team members were frightened that surgery on his finger would KO him until the new year. But Kobe himself decided against the surgery on his right hand pinky finger saying he didn’t want to miss that much time away since Lakers training camp opens later this month. In a message on ... Read more...
MGM Mirage officials announce new Mirage Volcano, vowing “The earth will move”
Two weeks ago, Luxe Life exclusively revealed ambitious plans by MGM Mirage executives to re-open a brand-new, $25-million volcano attraction at The Mirage in early December. Yesterday (Wednesday) they officially confirmed our advance reports that former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart has composed an original seven-minute drumbeat concert piece that the flame-jet fires and explosions will be choreographed against. After Dec. 7, tourists and locals will watch the staggering spectacle as close as just 30 feet away — and not ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Hills heart throb, celeb sightings
*Ten Buddhist monks from several temples throughout the valley arrived at the new Bodies exhibition in the Luxor resort casino hotel. They performed an ancient blessing on the spirits of the preserved cadavers before the new exhibit officially opened. *Heart-throb hunk, Doug Reinhardt from the reality series The Hills hosted a dinner with a small group of friends at the Company American Bistro in the Luxor resort hotel. He ordered up yellowtail sashimi, flat iron steak and a dessert platter ... Read more...
Executives pencil in possible date for Celine Dion’s triumphant return
We’re moving closer day-by-day to the possible return of Celine Dion to her Caesars Palace “home.” It’s highly probable that Celine will take over the vacated dates when Sir Elton John plays out his scheduled contract run of concerts. Sir Elton, who will play the Colosseum from Oct. 22 through Nov. 9 then has two more near month-long show sets in the early part of the new year. Depending when his shows and co-headliners Cher and Bette Midler pencil in ... Read more...
Dancing With the Stars hero parties with Olympic medal winner; first photos of star fashions
It was an all-star turnout at Tryst, the Steve Wynn nightclub, when pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy from Dancing with the Stars partied with a glittering crowd, including Tim Hutton, an Olympic silver medal winner in Beijing, as a member of the United States Olympic water polo team. Maks has been choreographing new routines being added to the Franco Dragone “Le Reve” water-themed spectacular at the Wynn Las Vegas. He posed for photos with fans, including cocktail server Angie Feliciano. Also ... Read more...
Wall Street shocker with lower gaming figures
Strip gaming revenues decreased 14.7 percent to $519.2 million, and statewide revenues decreased 13.0 percent to $997.3 million for July, according to Nevada Gaming Control figures released this morning (Wednesday). It sent Wall Street brokers into shock with a large sell-off in Vegas related stocks. In addition the total drop for Strip properties declined 6.5 percent. Strip slot revenues also dropped drastically with a decline of 8.6 percent as slot handle decreased 11.6 percent. In July, table win was down ... Read more...
Pam Anderson says she’s making it (a video) with Michael
Busty blonde beauty Pamela Anderson has cleared up the mystery of her clandestine meetings with King of Pop, Vegas resident Michael Jackson. Luxe Life reported two weeks ago that the curious couple had met in the corner of the bar at Shutters beachfront hotel in Malibu. Now the former Vegas Beauty of Magic showgirl says the meetings with the pop-music legend were true but its not dating –- its business. “He just wants me to be in a video,” she ... Read more...
Timberlake lands Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5 for show at Planet Hollywood
Pop prince Justin Timberlake has lined up the incredibly successful Jonas Brothers as just one of the superstar guests for his upcoming charity concert at Planet Hollywood’s Theatre for the Performing Arts. Luxe Life can also confirm exclusively that he’s also landed the hot-selling Maroon 5 rock group and country’s top favorites, Rascal Flatts. There will be even more A-list names of mega-recording artists over the next few weeks leading up to the fame festival which is set for Friday ... Read more...
Tonight’s Tip: Sugarbeats an industry-strength party at Sushi Samba
The new Sushi Samba restaurant has been grabbing celebrities and making headlines since it opened only weeks ago in the Palazzo. Now tonight the weekly ‘Sugarbeats’ hospitality industry party debuts in its new Sugarcane ultra lounge dance spot … My favorite off-Strip French restaurant, the lakeside Marche Bacchus bistro & wine market hosts an impressive winemaker dinner with Doug Shafer from Shafer Vineyards. Chef Jean-David Groff Daudet will serve up a five-course meal each paired with a Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet ... Read more...
Nightclub lawsuit alleges “racial profiling” at Caesars
A whopping lawsuit that could run into the million$ involving Caesars Palace and Simon Property Group, filed by owners of the OPM nightclub above Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois restaurant in the Forum Shops at Caesars, has just been moved from Nevada State Court to U.S. Federal Court. You can click here to read the full 26-page document that raises the politically sensitive issues of “racial profiling.” Some of the allegations, if proven true, could turn out to be damning, and OPM’s ... Read more...
Combustible concerns, midweek date could take spark out of NYE
A double whammy has hit our Strip resorts just as they were hoping the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations would reinvigorate our economy and start 2009 on the road to recovery! Clark County fire officials who monitor safety concerns along the Strip resorts have become increasingly concerned as a result of the Monte Carlo resort rooftop blaze. Now they have discovered that similar accidents could just as easily happen on several older Strip hotel rooftops. Hotel and architectural executives confirmed ... Read more...
Star Surveillance: Montel shuffles into Hard Rock Hotel
Television talk show host Montel Williams took time out on his Vegas visit to play poker at the new hedonistic ultra-luxurious Poker Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel … Retired boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. celebrated a friend’s birthday at famous chef Steve Martorano’s fabulous Italian café in the Rio. Steve will be back again starting Oct. 16, but told me that Floyd danced to the disco music tableside and sang along to the Motown hits … Comedian Kevin Burke from ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Dewan, Tatum Rok the house
*Congratulations to Step-Up co-stars Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum. The handsome couple was here for the gala opening of the new Rok club at NY-NY -– and then flew off to Maui for a Hawaiian vacation. While there Channing threw Jenna a surprise party at which he “popped the question.” She said a very hearty, “Yes,” and he put a hefty engagement ring on her left hand’s fourth finger! Back in 2002, she was romantically linked with Justin Timberlake, but ... Read more...
Palin to make fundraising appearance in Carson City
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin , John McCain’s pick as his Republican vice-presidential running mate is on her way to possibly hit a jackpot She wont make it quite as far as Vegas on this trip- but on Saturday she’ll make her first visit to our gaming-powered state with an appearance in Carson City. Several prominent Republican backers of McCain from Vegas will jet up to meet her at the surprise fundraiser. The email announcement just went out to members of ... Read more...
Boxmaster/actor Billy Bob Thornton hits Vegas for four-day spree
It was set as a one-night only concert for Billy Bob Thornton and his band, The Boxmasters. But he turned the headliner gig at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel into a four-day party spree with his family all over town. First he hit the Cirque du Soleil-Beatles Love musical at The Mirage with his longtime girlfriend, Connie Angland, their daughter Bella and son Willie. After the show they went backstage to meet the cast and he even let ... Read more...
Exclusive interview and behind-the scenes of Donny & Marie’s show opening tonight
For the first time in almost three decades Donny and Marie Osmond have reunited to kick off a six-month run of headliner shows together — and it all starts tonight center-strip in the Flamingo. Donny, now 50, says the opening marks a 10-year dream of performing together again coming true. Although they did, admittedly, host the summertime Miss USA beauty pageant network TV special at the nearby Planet Hollywood resort and they did have a one-week-long, scheduled-in-advance fill-in week at ... Read more...
Dillon celebrates birthday at Body English
It was a double celebration for Entourage star Kevin Dillon! Not only was he celebrating the fifth season premiere of the new HBO series at Body English nightclub in the Hard Rock Hotel, but it was also his birthday. Kevin, who is a regular party-player here in Vegas, has the role of Johnny Drama on the show. Casino host Richard Wilk wheeled out a massive birthday cake to kick off the celebrations and the nightspots managing partner Corey McCormack gave ... Read more...
Tonight’s Tip: Brian Wilson at Star of the Desert
*Former Beach Boys lead singer and founder Brian Wilson performs a rare solo concert with his unique vocal sounds of musical perfection. Even though he’s way off-Strip down the I-15 at the Star of the Desert concert venue in Primm Valley he’s definitely worth that 25-minute drive south of the Strip. Brian battled a long bout of deep psychological problems, but his genius won out and he re-emerged with all of yesteryear’s talent intact — and even better. *Irreverent, cocky ... Read more...
“Sandcastle Disco” queen Solange Knowles dances late into the night
It was just after midnight this morning that singer Solange Knowles arrived at the Prive nightclub in the Planet Hollywood resort casino to celebrate the release of her new album Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams. The stunning entertainer immediately spent one hour dancing in the luxury club’s DJ booth at its weekly Money for Nothing Monday night party. Our Luxe Life photographers Scott Doctor and Denise Truscello were on hand for our start-of-the-day photo coverage. Solange, who loathes being ... Read more...
Major NYC and LA nightlife kings rumored to be teaming up for Pure
Rumors are running rampant with “wicked whispers” in nightclub circles in both New York and Los Angeles that two powerhouse groups have teamed up as the apparent buyers of the mega-Strip club Pure empire for $100 million. It follows our exclusive Luxe Life story last week about the Sept. 30 “for sale” deadline. Now I can reveal from highly reliable sources that allegedly L.A. mega-club and hotel operator Sam Nazarian has put his ambitious plans on hold to transform his ... Read more...
Star Surveillance: Ex-Henderson resident Tanya Tucker drops in on Cher
*Star Surveillance: Three-decade strong country music star, former Henderson resident and Basic High School student (1972-’73) Tanya Tucker loved Cher’s show at Caesars Palace and then went backstage to greet the star. Also there Diane Warren, songwriter of the Cher classic “If I Could Turn Back Time”- one of Cher’s most well-known hits, but Cher fondly remembered declining to record the song when she heard it the first time! … Retired five-time NBA champion Steve Kerr, now general manager of ... Read more...
Michael Phelps gets more gold on his wild weekend in Vegas: A key to the Playboy Club
Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps added more gold to his collection of medal ingots on a wild Vegas vacation weekend. He was presented with a special key to the Playboy Club at the Palms! It capped an extraordinary series of events for the all-time winner of eight gold medals at the recent Olympics in Beijing! Luxe Life just about kept pace with the breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly winner as bunnies and female fans mobbed him wherever he went! His 72 ... Read more...
Tonight’s Tip: Solange Knowles parties at Prive
*Gorgeous recording artist Solange Knowles celebrates the release of her new album Sol-angel & The Hadley St.Dreams at a “Money for Nothing” party in Prive at the Planet Hollywood. The “Sandcastle Disco” songstress doesn’t want anyone referring to her as Beyonce’s younger sister or Jay-Z’s sister in law! OK –- so we won’t! But we will have the photos overnight for you tomorrow! *The oddball teaming of comics Jim O’Brien and Alex Valdez starts a weeklong run at the Riviera ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Beyonce a New Year’s Eve headliner on the Strip?
*Just asking: is Beyonce the first megastar to be signed for a New Year’s Eve concert appearance on the Strip?… which Strip casino was beaten out of $18 million by a free-wheeling, big-betting, high-roller who decided to call it quits before going for $20 million? … if the whispers are figments of somebody’s imagination or for real about Whitney Houston making her comeback with a run of nightly concerts later this fall at the Wynn as the late show following ... Read more...
Entourage cast launches Branson’s new Virgin America flights as billionaire plans Vegas resort
Thanks to delightfully eccentric British billionaire Sir Richard Branson — and the cast of the Entourage hit HBO series — Vegas has a brand-new airline serving New York City with direct flights! Branson’s ‘Virgin America’ launched a custom Airbus A320 daubed ‘ Entourage Air’ for the star-studded send-off of the inaugural flight from John F. Kennedy Airport. Entourage stars and all Vegas regulars, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara, Adam Grenier, plus Kevin Dillon — who flew out on it to celebrate ... Read more...
Siegfried and Roy plan their meeting with the Queen of England
It’s not just one meeting with the Royals — it’s two! Master magicians and illusionists Siegfried & Roy will meet the Queen of England and her Royal Family, plus Her Royal Highness the Princess of York, at two extraordinary events back in my old hometown of London later this month. Our Vegas hometown heroes are getting ready for their European trip and told me they were already practicing for the momentous royal occasion. The first event with the queen and ... Read more...
Jacksons honored, but whither Michael?
The “King of Pop” had been invited — but even if he remained here in Vegas, nobody knew where he was or why he failed to show up for the Icon Award presentation to all the Jackson family! Michael was a no-show at the 8th annual BMI Urban Awards in Los Angeles. Some observers went as far as to say the just-turned-50-year-old entertainer deliberately snubbed his entire family by skipping the awards presentation and dinner that honored the Jackson 5 ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles and weekend events in Las Vegas
* Singer and music producer Akon was at the Hard Rock to introduce his new artist, Asher Roth, who gave an exclusive debut performance in the Body English nightclub party. Akon joined in for a few songs, which had the crazed crowd burst into cheers and applause. Afterward, Akon and Asher invited guests up into the Octagon area for photos with the duo for an hour. Earlier, Akon and Lady Gaga surprised the poolside revelers when they hit the stage ... Read more...
Hot off the grill: Star chef anniversary, new restaurant opens, Italian tasting treat
* Top celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has decreed his nine-year hit Postrio restaurant at the Venetian needs a facelift. So come Sept. 14 he’ll oversee its multi-million dollar, three-week makeover, which will bring the bar right out of the restaurant into the outdoor St. Mark’s Square café, which will remain open while the main dining rooms are briefly closed. In December, Wolf will do a similar makeover at his hot Trattoria del Lupo Restaurant restaurant in Mandalay Bay. * Parisian ... Read more...
Paris and Benji’s romantic runaround sparks wedding rumors
The alarm bells rang but the wedding chimes didn’t! It was mayhem when marriage rumors swept the Strip when pop-princess Paris Hilton came in for a four-day honeymoon-styled vacation with beaufriend, rocker Benji Madden. Paparazzi photographers, tabloid editors and Internet gossip sites went into overdrive with tattle-tales they were about to tie the knot right here in America’s wedding capital. Paris and Benji turned up almost everywhere around Sin City — they were a romantic closerthanthis couple at Wolfgang Puck’s ... Read more...
Olympic Gold medalist Michael Phelps celebrates at Playboy Club
American gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps celebrated at the Playboy Club in the Palms until 2 a.m. this morning. The 23-year-old swimmer has won 14 career Olympic gold medals — the most by any Olympian — and as of last month now holds seven world records. At the Beijing Olympics he won eight golds, surpassing the previous record of seven held by swimmer Mark Spitz at the 1972 Games. Michael arrived in Vegas late yesterday afternoon and checked into the ... Read more...
Mr. Olympia flexes his muscles as bodybuilder show returns to Vegas
It’s official that the most prestigious event in the bodybuilding world will return to Vegas for four days starting Sept. 24. The bodybuilding competition is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilders and the win is considered the highest accolade in the field. Hometown hero Jay Cutler will defend his title for the third consecutive year. Fitness enthusiasts from around the world will take part in the Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia and Fitness and Figure Olympia Championships at the ... Read more...
O.J. media circus gears up for round-the-clock coverage
It’ll probably go down to the wire as lawyers make fevered last-minute pitches to the Nevada Supreme Court — but TV trucks and crews along with anchors and celebrity reporters are moving into place this weekend for the expected Monday morning start of the much anticipated O.J. Simpson trial. The remaining issue is that co-defendant Clarence Stewart wants to be tried separately from Simpson. Judge Jackie Glass wants to press ahead with one trial for the two defendants with no ... Read more...
Gossip grab bag: Britney to open VMAs, Criss Angel scores big, David Spade becomes ‘daddy’
* Exactly as Luxe Life revealed more than a week ago, pop-princess Britney Spears begins her career comeback Sunday night when she kicks off the MTV Video Music Awards live from Los Angeles. It’s exactly a year ago that she experienced a dramatic meltdown and wrecked her own performance at the VMAs, which were broadcast here from the Palms. Britney, who vacationed here last week at the Mirage on the anniversary of the disastrous show, won’t be dancing or singing ... Read more...
Celebrations, Strip sightings and tonight’s tease
* Monks from various Buddhist temples throughout the valley planned to gather this morning at the BODIES exhibit in the Luxor resort casino. They are performing an ancient Buddhist benediction blessing on all 13 whole-body specimens in the all-new exhibition because they believe that each body, living or dead, has a spirit. The purpose of it is to inform the spirits that their physical bodies are not being punished, but rather being used for educational purposes and that the modern ... Read more...
Carnival of Cuisine showcases top chef restaurants, and a first look at new Coca-Cola bottles
How do you get excited over a bottle of Coca-Cola? Well, if it’s the first-ever sneak preview of the never-before-seen aluminum replicas of the famous decades-old bottle! Vegas was selected as the first spot to unveil the surprising new lightweight recyclable bottles — and they were discreetly on display at the “Carnival o Cuisine” hosted by over 30 restaurants and eight James Beard award winning chefs at the Venetian and Palazzo. Everybody from Valentino’s chef Luciano Pelligrini, Tao’s star chef ... Read more...
Jay-Z’s old 40/40 club reopens tonight as restaurant and sports book
It took just a few days to transform hip-hop mogul Jay-Z’s former 40/40 nightclub at the Palazzo into a new restaurant grill and sports book. In fact, last weekend marked its official closing — and now Luxe Life has just learned that it will reopen tonight. The Sportsbook Bar & Grill at the Palazzo becomes the newest sports-themed restaurant on the Strip. In a just e-mailed statement, Palazzo officials noted: “Utilizing existing décor including a Strip-view outdoor patio and 70+ ... Read more...
Charlie Sheen celebrates a birthday, Criss Angel seen with Holly Madison — again — as stars party
The nightlife experts who have propelled Tao at the Venetian into the nation’s largest grossing nightclub and restaurant operation are about to launch their newest amazing entertainment attraction. Lavo will open in the neighboring Palazzo resort on Saturday next week, but already it’s been invaded by a slew of celebrities. When I was there for the “soft-opening shakedowns,” I spotted actor Adrian Brody, party actress Tara Reid and gossip blogger Perez Hilton. On my way out, in came Paris Hilton ... Read more...
Despite DUI charge, celebrity chef goes ahead with festival cooking demo
Talk about from the frying pan into the fire — or vice versa. Celebrity chef Marcel Vigneron, who lives here in Vegas, went directly from jail to an “arts festival” for a cooking demonstration and book signing! On the second season of Bravo’s Top Chef, 28-year-old Marcel was runner-up and has since parlayed it into a highly successful freelance chef’s career. He’d attended the evening Pageant of the Masters gala benefit for the Festival in Laguna Beach, Calif., and was ... Read more...
$100 million man, Terry Fator, hits back at lawsuit
No sooner did America’s Got Talent $1 million winner Terry Fator land his new $100 million, five-year contract at the Mirage starting Feb. 14 than “people from the past” hired lawyers in an attempt to snatch away a major part of his earnings! Former fired manager John Raymond wants a piece of the Mirage millions even though he’d been terminated long before and never had a meeting with those hotel executives or the Hilton entertainment officials, where Terry appears monthly. ... Read more...
Pregnant and nearly naked Jenna Jameson pleads “safe sex” for pets
Sexy and pregnant former adult-XXX actress Jenna Jameson has stripped down to promote a “safe sex” campaign for the controversial People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals organization. The Vegas-born blonde bombshell kicked off the new effort to increase spaying and neutering. Jenna says: “Until dogs and cats can go on the pill or wear condoms we need to help them practice safe sex by spaying and neutering. They are so at risk in falling pregnant or catching diseases if ... Read more...
Entourage stars launch Sir Richard Branson’s new Virgin America Vegas flights
British billionaire Sir Richard Branson launches his new direct Virgin America flights between New York and Vegas today — and he’s got the cast of HBO’s hit show Entourage on the premiere journey. They’ll leave on the inaugural flight, dubbed “Entourage Air” at 1:30 p.m. from Kennedy Airport and arrive here by 4 p.m. to celebrate with a glittering party at the Playboy Club in the Palms. (It’s where Sir Richard parachuted off the roof on his last visit here ... Read more...
The Panic! birthday celebrations continue at the Disco
The dual birthday parties for Spencer Smith and Ryan Ross of Panic! At the Disco continue to rock on. Fellow band member Brendon Urie joined his pals for their ongoing festivities at the Beatles Revolution lounge at the Mirage. They ordered up champagne, but they also ordered up Corona beers for the party! The three returned to their hometown of Las Vegas to celebrate Spencer and Ryan’s birthdays. The guys now all head off to Los Angeles to appear on ... Read more...
Scribbles: Britney, a paparazzi invasion and tonight’s tip on the Strip
* Following up briefly on my breaking story yesterday about Britney Spears and her visit to Vegas, I later discovered that both master illusionists Siegfried & Roy went to the Mirage to meet the pop princess. They personally greeted her and gave her the tour of their Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. They showed her the newest additions: a golden tiger and the white-striped baby tiger cubs. Click here for yesterday’s Brit report! * Is comedy hypnotist Anthony Cools, who ... Read more...
Kardashian sisters lead the party-hearty stars at Prive
Reality TV stars Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian hit the Prive nightclub in the Planet Hollywood resort casino with 15 friends in tow as their entourage. Big sister Kim was resting up her injured foot and workouts for her debut on Dancing with the Stars so she didn’t make the trip! The two sisters set up camp in the VIP booth and danced on the couches until 3 a.m.! In between, they drank shots of Patron tequila and Grey Goose vodka ... Read more...
Birthday bash for Panic! At the Disco
Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith of our Vegas hometown hitmakers Panic! At The Disco celebrated their joint birthdays at the Blush boutique nightclub in the Wynn Las Vegas last night. About 40 of their friends took over the VIP room for dancing and drinking. Hidden away to scream “surprise” when Ryan and Spencer arrived was fellow rocker Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy — solo, as pregnant wife Ashley Simpson was resting up at home awaiting the upcoming birth of ... Read more...
Hannah Montana star teaches kids about hand-washing
As far as the young patients of our Sunrise Children’s Hospital are concerned, teenage actor Mitchel Musso, who plays “Oliver” on the hit TV series Hannah Montana, is as huge a fan favorite as his co-star, Miley Cyrus! Shaggy-haired Mitchel launched the national campaign for “Clean Hands are Cool Hands” at our local hospital with its pediatric staff and Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin. Mitchell lead a series of interactive hand-washing demonstrations and hosted an afternoon of fun finger-painting and educational ... Read more...
A galaxy of stars shines at Tryst, Drai’s After Hours
Grammy Award-nominated music star Keyshia Cole was guest of honor at the Hudson Jeans/Creative Recreation clothing lines party at Tryst nightclub inside the Wynn Las Vegas. Keyshia’s most recent hit, “Heaven Sent,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts and her most recent album Just Like You debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart. She happily talked with fans about it — selling more than 280,000 copies in its first week — and posed for photos. NBA players ... Read more...
The desert’s newest playground: A winter wonderland made entirely from ice
By the end of the month the icy doors of the new Minus 5 ultra-lounge made entirely from ice will be open for us ink-stained wretches to take a peek. Meanwhile, as work progresses at Mandalay Place from construction zone to finished blue and white winter wonderland, TV cameras will be shooting the final days of progress for an unscripted program, “The Making Of …” Nobody has ever tried to make a full lounge where everything in it is sub-freezing. ... Read more...
Cher says she’s turned down Catwoman offers for next Batman movie
Cher has turned down all those overtures to play Catwoman in the next Batman movie. That’s the word from my pal Perez Hilton, who went backstage to meet the legendary singer at Caesars Palace. The gossip gangstar sat at the adjoining table beside me at the new Lavo club restaurant in the Palazzo after his visit. He proudly showed me the digital photo of he and the 62-year-old singer in her dressing room. During their exclusive “meet and greet,” Perez ... Read more...
Michael Jackson celebrates unique 50th birthday, reveals secret “dates” with Pamela Anderson
Double surprises from pop-king Michael Jackson as he celebrated his half-century birthday — coincidentally on the same day as mine although I’ll confess I’m a tad older! First, it came to light that he’s enjoyed a couple of dates with Baywatch blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson, who just turned 41. Before she left for Australia to promote her new TV reality series, Pamela and Michael turned up separately at the Shutters Hotel in Malibu and hid away in a corner of ... Read more...
Coming soon: Duran Duran, Tommy Lee and a slew of rock drummers
It’s now definite that the Mirage resort casino will reopen its Strip-front volcano attraction on Dec. 8 — with a most unusual and unique ceremony. Mirage president Scott Sibelus is planning a major announcement from the LOVE theater on Sept. 10, but as usual, Luxe Life has learned some startling secrets in advance. Grateful Dead musician Mickey Hart has written the beats music to tie into the volcano’s choreography and is now enlisting a slew of other rock group drummers ... Read more...
Scribbles and tonight’s tip on the Strip
*Motorcycle stunt hero Carey Hart, who owns the Wasted Space lounge at the Hard Rock, took three other guy-pals to the X topless revue show at the Flamingo to show off his new girlfriend, who is one of the seductive stunning dancers there! *It’s all about the water! Members of the USA Men’s Olympics gymnastics team stuck to Fiji water when they dined on the patio of hot sushi-spot Social House at Treasure Island. While noshing on assorted sushi rolls ... Read more...
Eva Longoria, Leonardo DiCaprio join Paris and Nicky Hilton to open Bellagio’s Yellowtail
It was an all-star party for the opening of celebrity chef Akira Back’s new stunning Yellowtail restaurant at the Bellagio — and Desperate Housewife Eva Longoria may just have confirmed her upcoming baby news: She turned down celebration champagne in favor of non-alcoholic drinks and also declined the sushi sensations! Wilmer Valderrama brought her table sake and tequila shots but she stayed loyal to her self-imposed no alcohol rule. Paris Hilton, however, went gaga over the beef tataki, ordering multiple ... Read more...
Sudden superstar Katy Perry opens new Rok nightclub
Hot new pop-rock sensation Katy Perry officially opened the new Rok nightclub with her sultry and controversial single “I Kissed a Girl” — and it won her a kiss on her lips from her No. 1 fan: Grandma! Katy’s 87-year-old grandmother, Ann Hudson, lives here in Vegas and turned up as one of the first-night guests at the New York New York resort casino to congratulate her grand-daughter. Katy leads the Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart at No. 1 for the ... Read more...
Criss Angel delays preview openings of Believe
For a third time, Mindfreak magician Criss Angel has had to postpone the preview openings of his new Cirque du Soleil Believe spectacular. No sooner did I write earlier this morning that he was into his final two weeks of rehearsals before previews begin a week from Friday that news of yet another delay slipped out. Instead of now beginning on Sept. 12, it’s been pushed back to Sept. 26 — but I am assured the grand opening night remains ... Read more...
Britney back on the Strip for LOVE, but keeps her top on at topless pool
Exactly 12 months ago, pop-princess Britney Spears hit rock-bottom in her downward spiral of bizarre behavior when she wrecked her own performance at the Video Music Awards in the Palms. She didn’t return to the “scene of the crime” this weekend to mark the anniversary, but ironically did return to the Mirage for a mini-vacation. Ironically, at 6 a.m. that morning a year ago it was at the secret side entrance of the Jet nightclub at the Mirage’s north valet ... Read more...
Will Hef marry Holly or is she making magic with Criss Angel?
Secret plans are underway for “a wedding in the Playboy mansion” on the new next season of Girls Next Door but mystery swirls around just who is getting married. Naturally the assumption is that Hef himself will tie the knot with longtime galpal Holly Madison, who became No. 1 in the three-pack of beauties who make up the headline stars of the MTV series. The gossip all began when Kendra and Bridget visited Vegas a week ago and revealed the ... Read more...
Jerry Lewis smashes all-time record yet again
Congratulations to hometown hero, veteran showman Jerry Lewis, on raising a staggering $65 million this afternoon at the 43rd annual Muscular Dystrophy telethon fundraiser from South Point. The 21-hour live broadcast on 180 North American television stations and worldwide on the Internet beat last year’s record of $63.8 million by $1.2 million to earn the new record total. “Each year I tell myself, ‘this has got to be it. There’s no way we can do better.’ Then, the following year, ... Read more...
Britney parties in Vegas for holiday weekend
Pop princess Britney Spears decided Vegas was perfect for her Labor Day holiday weekend celebration — and she found LOVE at the Mirage, sneaking in to watch the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show last night. The show’s “Walrus” character, played by Hassan El Hajjami, greeted her just before the show started. Luxe Life has all the details of Britney’s whirl around town tomorrow with her stops at the Bare adult-topless pool and also her post-midnight dinner at Japonais. Britney also ... 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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